Margot Robbie Lands Iconic Role in “Wolf of Wall Street” After Slapping Leonardo DiCaprio

In the hit film “Wolf of Wall Street,” Margot Robbie's portrayal of Naomi Lapaglia, a tough-talking and resilient character, remains one of her most iconic roles to date.

However, it turns out that Robbie almost missed out on the opportunity due to an underwhelming audition.

Fortunately, one unexpected moment changed everything.

Martin Scorsese, the director of the film, has now revealed the exact moment that convinced him to cast Robbie: when she slapped Leonardo DiCaprio during the audition.

Speaking about the audition in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People Issue, Scorsese shared that Robbie clinched the part by delivering a thunderous slap to DiCaprio's face.

This improvisation stunned everyone involved.

Robbie herself has previously acknowledged the significance of this moment.

In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, she recalled how she flew to New York at the last minute for the audition.

Initially, she struggled through a few scenes and felt like she couldn't match DiCaprio's talent.

However, when they started improvising a scene as a married couple having an argument, Robbie knew she had to make a lasting impression.

Realizing that time was running out, Robbie thought to herself, “You have literally 30 seconds left in this room, and if you don't do something impressive, nothing will ever come of it.”

She decided to take a once-in-a-lifetime chance and screamed at DiCaprio, who responded equally intensely.

The intensity of the scene frightened Robbie, but she didn't want to miss the opportunity to kiss DiCaprio, so she impulsively slapped him instead.

The room fell silent, and Robbie feared the worst, thinking she had just assaulted Leonardo DiCaprio and ruined her career.

To her surprise, Scorsese and DiCaprio burst into laughter.

Scorsese praised her performance, and DiCaprio even encouraged her to slap him again.

This unconventional approach worked in Robbie's favor, and she ultimately secured the role in “Wolf of Wall Street,” a film that received critical acclaim and garnered five Oscar nominations.

This story serves as a reminder that sometimes following your instincts can lead to incredible opportunities, even if it involves taking risks that wouldn't be advisable in a typical workplace setting.

Margot Robbie's audacious move certainly paid off, propelling her career to new heights.