Hollywood is full of stories about near misses and last-minute switches, and roles that could have gone to someone else, altering their careers forever.
But only a few such accounts are as problematic as the one that Corey Feldman revealed, involving him, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Johnny Depp.
This isn’t just a ‘what-if’ scenario but a story about second chances, bitter rivalries, and how industry whispers affect people. So what exactly did Feldman spill, and what does it say about the power dynamics of 90s Hollywood?
Johnny Depp’s alleged role in firing Corey Feldman
Corey Feldman is best known for The Goonies and Stand By Me, and the actor dropped a bombshell on The Magnificent Others podcast hosted by Billy Corgan. Feldman claimed that he was originally cast as Arnie Grape in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, a role that earned Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar nomination.
The actor further accused Johnny Depp of removing him from the movie, saying that he “whispered into the producers’ ears that he wasn’t fond of me.” The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory star allegedly didn’t want to work with Feldman as he believed him to be a “junkie.”
I had just gotten sober. 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 running with at the time, as we all know.
However, his efforts weren’t recognized, and the role instead went to DiCaprio, who earned critical acclaim for playing the character, whereas Feldman’s career took a different path. He also admitted to feeling hurt over this missed opportunity, but ultimately had to put this incident behind him.
Johnny Depp’s fallout in Hollywood after the Amber Heard trial
While Corey Feldman’s story brings the behind-the-scenes clashes in Hollywood to light, Johnny Depp’s struggles raise questions about his own standing in the industry. During his highly publicized legal battle with Amber Heard, the actor’s career took a massive hit, despite winning the defamation case in the USA (via Marca).
As per reports, Depp claimed that Heard’s allegations cost him his role in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 and caused irreparable damage to his reputation. His agents testified that studios refused to work with him post-scandal, and even after the verdict, it seems like industry insiders have remained skeptical.
These two distinctive stories prove that the entertainment industry is a fickle place where one phone call, one accusation, and one recast can change everything. Feldman’s example showcases how fragile careers can be and how influential people can affect them, whereas Depp’s account shows us how the industry can turn on its stars.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
