In The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio committed to an intense and immersive performance that pushed him to his limits. Despite being a vegetarian, he chose to eat a raw slab of bison liver for a key scene, demonstrating his dedication to authenticity. To prepare for his role as Hugh Glass, DiCaprio also learned to shoot a musket, build fires in the wilderness, and speak two Native American languages — Pawnee and Arikara — to accurately portray his character’s interactions.
Additionally, he studied with a doctor specializing in ancient healing techniques to understand traditional remedies and survival skills. DiCaprio has described this experience as the most challenging of his career, emphasizing the physical and emotional demands of embodying such a rugged, primal character.
His commitment to realism and method acting contributed significantly to the film’s gritty atmosphere and critical acclaim, earning him his first Oscar for Best Actor.
