Feldman’s claims stir up a forgotten casting saga
During a candid sit‑down with Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan on the "The Magnificent Others" podcast, Corey Feldman dropped a bombshell about the 1993 drama What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. According to the former teen‑star, he had secured the part of Arnie Grape – the vulnerable younger brother – months before Johnny Depp arrived on set to play the older sibling, Gilbert.
Feldman explained that the producers had already green‑lit his involvement when the studio later invited Depp to join the project. He alleges that Depp, feeling threatened or simply disliking Feldman, whispered to a producer that he didn’t want to work with a “junkie.” The comment, Feldman says, led to his abrupt dismissal, clearing the way for a then‑19‑year‑old Leonardo DiCaprio to step into the role that would earn him his first Academy Award nomination.
“I never saw the film because I’m still bitter,” Feldman told Corgan, adding that the resentment still lingers after three decades. He also admitted that this is the first time he has spoken about the incident publicly, warning that the story might attract backlash.
Behind the casting controversy
The alleged exchange, if true, would place Depp’s own later battles with substance abuse under a starkly ironic light. While Depp’s personal issues became tabloid fodder in the 2010s, Feldman points out the hypocritical nature of the claim that he was a “junkie” in the early ’90s.
DiCaprio’s breakthrough as Arnie Grape is now part of Hollywood lore. The film, directed by Lasse Hallström, also featured Juliette Lewis and Darlene Cates, and it cemented DiCaprio’s reputation as a serious dramatic actor. Meanwhile, Feldman’s career trajectory took a different turn. After starring in cult classics like The Goonies, Stand by Me and The Lost Boys, he struggled to transition from child‑star fame to adult roles, battling personal demons along the way.
Feldman’s narrative adds another layer to his ongoing effort to expose what he sees as unfair treatment in the industry. He has previously spoken out about alleged exploitation and mismanagement of his career, and this latest accusation aligns with his pattern of calling out perceived injustices.
As of now, neither Johnny Depp nor any representatives from the film’s production have responded to the allegations. The story remains unverified, but it has already sparked discussion among fans of both actors and commentators who track Hollywood’s behind‑the‑scenes power plays.
Whether Feldman’s account will prompt a re‑examination of the movie’s casting history or simply fade into the endless stream of celebrity rumors is yet to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the episode has resurfaced a forgotten chapter of a film that launched one career while, according to Feldman, derailing another.
