Academy Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio will be notably absent from Sunday's prestigious Actor Awards ceremony, previously known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The 51-year-old Hollywood star, who has recently been a topic of conversation following comments by actress Lisa Rinna, is nominated for the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role category for his work in the film One Battle After Another.
Filming Commitments Take Priority
DiCaprio's absence is attributed to a significant scheduling conflict that prevents him from personally competing against fellow nominees Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, and Jesse Plemons. According to reports from People magazine, the actor is currently stationed in Europe, deeply immersed in filming the upcoming Martin Scorsese psychological thriller What Happens at Night.
Details of the New Project
The film, which is based on Peter Cameron's 2020 novel, features DiCaprio starring opposite Jennifer Lawrence. This collaboration marks their second professional partnership, following their work together on the 2021 satirical climate film Don't Look Up. The plot, as detailed by Deadline, follows an American couple traveling to a European town to adopt a baby, only to find themselves in an eerie hotel populated by a cast of unsettling characters including a lively singer, a crooked businessman, and a charming faith healer.
The narrative explores the couple's struggle to claim their child in this bizarre environment while gradually losing their grip on reality. This project also reunites DiCaprio with director Martin Scorsese, with whom he previously collaborated on the 2023 historical drama Killers of the Flower Moon.
Recent Awards Season Activity
Despite missing the Actor Awards, DiCaprio has remained active in the current awards season. Just last Sunday, he attended the BAFTA ceremony alongside his One Battle After Another co-stars Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Benicio del Toro, and director Paul Thomas Anderson. Although DiCaprio was nominated for Best Leading Actor at the BAFTAs, he was ultimately defeated by Robert Aramayo, who won for his performance in I Swear.
However, the evening was not without celebration for DiCaprio, as One Battle After Another secured the coveted Best Film honor. Director Paul Thomas Anderson delivered a memorable acceptance speech, quoting Nina Simone by stating, 'I know what freedom is, it's no fear.' He further encouraged the industry to continue creating without fear, emphasizing its importance.
Chemistry with Co-Star Jennifer Lawrence
The professional relationship between DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence has garnered significant attention, particularly following their joint interview for Variety's Actors on Actors series in December. During the conversation, Lawrence humorously trolled DiCaprio about his performance as a father to a teenage daughter in One Battle After Another, a role played by Chase Infiniti.
In a viral clip, Lawrence remarked, 'I really loved seeing you be a dad in One Battle After Another. I'm so sad that you don't have a teenage daughter. You look great with one.' Many viewers interpreted this comment as a playful dig at DiCaprio's well-documented history of dating significantly younger women, including his current relationship with 27-year-old model Vittoria Ceretti. DiCaprio responded to the quip with laughter, though he offered no verbal rebuttal.
This dynamic between the two stars has highlighted their palpable on-screen and off-screen chemistry, which is expected to translate effectively into their upcoming collaboration in Scorsese's What Happens at Night. As DiCaprio continues his European filming schedule, the entertainment industry will be watching to see how his absence from the Actor Awards might impact the evening's proceedings and whether his nominated performance will still receive recognition in his absence.
