Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio turned down 'Brokeback Mountain,'
Film director Gus Van Sant revealed in an interview with IndieWire that both Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio passed on "Brokeback Mountain," the gay love story that snagged eight Academy Award nominations in 2006 — the most of any film that year. Van Sant, who was approached to direct the film that was ultimately helmed by Ang Lee, recalled the lack of interest from actors in portraying the roles that earned Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger widespread acclaim and accolades.
"Nobody wanted to do it," Van Sant said. "I was working on it, and I felt like we needed a really strong cast, like a famous cast. That wasn't working out. I asked the usual suspects: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Ryan Phillippe. They all said no."
"Yes, all those young gentlemen (at the time) turned down the project, for various reasons," she wrote.
Looking back on the lack of enthusiasm surrounding the film's casting process at the time, Van Sant said, "What I could have done, and what I probably should have done, was cast more unknowns, not worried about who were the lead actors." He continued, "I was not ready. I'm not sure why. There was just sort of a hiccup on my part. There was something off with myself, I guess, whatever was going on."
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/brad-pitt-leonardo-dicaprio-turned-down-brokeback-mountain-gus-van-n893096
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… Jake and Heath were great in the roles. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt would have been worse, especially Leo... Matt Damon and Ryan Phillippe might have been as good, though.
Just an aside: I would not assume the four mentioned as turning down the roles were doing so strictly because the characters being gay. It would be factor for many, but not fair to assume.
… I wasn't thinking about the roles being gay roles first... just the characters I saw in the completed film. Not sure which role I can see Leo playing... he seems to be a little of both characters, but not enough of either. I do admire some of his work, though.
Also mentionable along these lines... Brad Pitt played with Tom Cruise - "Interview with the Vampire" - which are what I would say are not exactly hetero roles. I'm sure Brad could play gay men... also, Tom, but don't see him in "Brokeback Mountain" either...
