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Corey Feldman Claims Johnny Depp Cost Him ‘Gilbert Grape’ Role
Corey Feldman has attributed losing a significant role in the 1993 film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape to Johnny Depp. The actor, known for his roles in 80s classics, expressed his long-held resentment during a recent appearance on Billy Corgan’s “The Magnificent Others” podcast, revealing he was initially slated to star opposite Depp in the acclaimed drama.
Feldman’s Casting and Subsequent Loss of Role
Speaking with podcast host Billy Corgan, Feldman, 53, detailed how he was initially cast to portray the younger brother with a disability, a part that ultimately went to Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio’s performance garnered him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
“I was actually cast to play Leonardo DiCaprio’s role,” Feldman stated. He admitted to harboring bitterness over the casting change, saying, “I never saw the film because I’m still bitter. Bitter pill in that one. But yes, I was originally cast for that role.”
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Depp’s Alleged Influence on Recasting
When Corgan inquired if he was “pushed out” of the role, Feldman directly implicated Johnny Depp, 61. “Johnny Depp,” Feldman affirmed. “He was cast after I was, and apparently whispered into the producers’ ear that he wasn’t fond of me, and thought — he said that I was a junkie and that he didn’t work with junkies. And this is the first time I’ve ever [told] this story, so I’m sure I’m gonna get hung by this one.”
Feldman maintains he was sober at the time of his dismissal from the project. “I was sober. I had just gotten sober,” he clarified. “I had just gotten out of rehab. I had turned my life around, and, in fact, was trying to help River [Phoenix] at the time, who [Depp] was associating with at the time, as we all know.”
Reflecting on Career Setbacks
Feldman acknowledged the impact of losing the Gilbert Grape role, admitting it was “a bit of a thorn in the side.” He speculated on the potential trajectory of his career had he not been replaced. However, he added a note of resilience, stating, “you don’t dwell on those, you move past them.”
Another Close Call with DiCaprio
Interestingly, Feldman revealed that he was also considered for the lead role in the blockbuster film Titanic, which again saw Leonardo DiCaprio in the part.
“Ironically, just a couple years later, I also was up for Titanic, so there was kind of a double whammy with Leo,” he explained to Corgan. “But that was OK, because that one I wasn’t as close. I was up for it, I read for it, I know that I was in the contention somewhere.”
‘Lord of the Rings’ Audition and Sean Astin
Further elaborating on roles he pursued, Feldman mentioned auditioning for a part in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, specifically competing with his former Goonies co-star Sean Astin for the role of Samwise Gamgee. Astin, 54, ultimately secured the part.
“I was actually up for Sean’s role, and I heard I got pretty close on that as well,” he concluded. “Although I couldn’t have gained the weight, so I’ll give him that. He did a great job aesthetically being able to add that weight. It’s something I cannot physically do.”