Johnny Depp stiched a colleague up for Leonardo DiCaprio. And the insulted actor still can't shake off that moment, that role which could have brought him much recognition.
During the Magnificent Others podcast, while speaking with Billy Corgan, actor Corey Feldman aired the dirty laundry that had never been brought up before regarding Depp.
"I was actually cast to play Leonardo DiCaprio's role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape," Feldman shared, admitting that he never watched the film due to his lingering bitterness. "Bitter leaf in that one," he added. "But yes, I was originally cast for that role."
When Corgan inquired if he had been pushed out, Feldman nodded and responded directly, "Johnny Depp." He then explained that Depp had been cast after him and had apparently whispered to the producers, expressing his dislike for Feldman. According to Feldman, Depp claimed that he didn’t work with junkies, referring to him as one.
"This is the first time I'm telling this story," Feldman confessed, "so I’m sure I’ll get hung for this one."
When Corgan asked about drug use at the time, Feldman quickly clarified that he was sober, having recently come out of rehab and turned his life around. He also mentioned that he was trying to help River Phoenix, who was close to Depp.
Feldman reflected on the situation, acknowledging the difficulty and noting that had he not been pushed out, his career could have taken a very different path.
