The Departed, directed by Martin Scorsese, is a gripping crime thriller that explores the underworld of organized crime and police corruption. The film follows two protagonists: Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), an undercover cop, and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a mole within the police force working for the mob boss (Jack Nicholson).
With plot twists, intense performances, and great direction, The Departed keeps audiences on the edge of their seats right from the start. It explores themes of loyalty and identity, making it a memorable and thought-provoking cinematic experience. But Jack Nicholson wanted to set fire to the film’s set.
Why Did Jack Nicholson Want To Burn Down The Set?
The casting of Jack Nicholson in The Departed resulted from Martin Scorsese’s deep admiration for the actor. Scorsese recognized the film as a golden chance to collaborate with Nicholson, who had previously won an Oscar for his remarkable performances. The project presented an ideal platform for the acclaimed director and the seasoned actor to join forces.
Scorsese’s experience collaborating with Nicholson on The Departed differed from his interactions with other actors. In an interview with the Times of India, Scorsese acknowledged previous reports that Nicholson constantly tweaked the film’s original script.
Scorsese occasionally sought Nicholson’s creative input during the production of The Departed. In one instance, Nicholson’s enthusiasm for exploring new possibilities led him to propose a sequence where his character would set fire to the film’s set. However, he swiftly reconsidered the idea, recognizing the potential consequences.
“I didn’t sleep that night. The next day, I asked the prop man to get me a gun… I also asked him to get a fire extinguisher. That’s what happens when you set me loose. I was literally planning to set the set on fire,” Nicholson once said as per Female First.
Jack Nicholson Scared Leonardo DiCaprio And Matt Damon
Nicholson’s acting style occasionally unsettled the film’s stars, Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. DiCaprio candidly shared that there were instances on set where his co-star’s performance evoked a sense of unease within him.
“One scene in particular, we did the scene one way, and I remember Jack speaking to Marty because he said he didn’t feel that he was intimidating enough,” DiCaprio once told the press. “It was one of the table scenes. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life as far as being an actor is concerned. I remember coming into the scene one way, and then I came in the next day, and the prop guy told me, ‘Well, be careful. He’s got a fire extinguisher, a gun, some matches, and a bottle of whiskey.'”
Leonardo DiCaprio also said that the challenging environment created by Nicholson’s acting style ultimately benefited his performance, contributing to the sense of anxiety his character portrayed on screen.
The Departed is available for streaming on HBO Max.
Source: Cheatsheet
