Margot Robbie has never shied away from taking risks, both on and off-screen, and her breakout role in The Wolf of Wall Street is proof of that. During a recent appearance on the Talking Pictures podcast with TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz, Robbie shared how she approached one of the film’s most talked-about scenes and reflected on the fearless decision-making that helped define her career.
In the 2013 film, Robbie played Naomi Lapaglia, the fiery and glamorous wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort. A pivotal scene required Naomi to confront Jordan completely nude, a moment that showcased her character’s power and confidence. While director Martin Scorsese offered Robbie the option to wear a robe if she felt uncomfortable, the actress chose authenticity over compromise.
“[Scorsese] said, ‘Maybe you can be wearing a robe if you’re not comfortable,’” Robbie revealed. “But that’s not what she would do in that scene. The whole point is that she’s going to come out completely naked—that’s the card she’s playing right now.”
A Bold Audition Choice
Robbie’s daring approach didn’t just stop at her performance on set—it began in the audition room. Recalling her chemistry test with DiCaprio, Robbie revealed that she took a big gamble by improvising during the scene, which originally ended with their characters sharing a kiss. Instead of leaning in, Robbie slapped DiCaprio across the face.
“I thought, ‘I could kiss Leonardo DiCaprio right now, and that would be awesome,’” Robbie shared. “And then I thought, nah. And just walloped him in the face.”
Her unscripted choice was met with laughter and praise from both DiCaprio and Scorsese. Still, Robbie admitted she briefly panicked after the moment, thinking she might face repercussions. “I was thinking, ‘I’m pretty sure that’s assault or battery. Not only will you never work again, you will go to jail for this, you idiot.’”
A Career-Defining Role
The Wolf of Wall Street cemented Robbie’s place in Hollywood, earning her widespread acclaim for her commanding performance. The film’s success catapulted her career, which had already begun to gain traction with a smaller role in the romance drama About Time that same year.
Six years later, Robbie reunited with DiCaprio in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, where she played actress Sharon Tate. The pair’s on-screen chemistry remains a testament to their dynamic partnership, first ignited during Robbie’s bold debut.
With her fearless choices and unwavering commitment to her craft, Margot Robbie continues to inspire both her peers and fans, proving that boldness pays off in the long run.
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