Inside the Dark Side of Hollywood: Dale Wheatley’s Story of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire
The Forgotten Indie Film That Sparked a Hollywood Feud.
Long before Leonardo DiCaprio became an Oscar-winning actor and Tobey Maguire took on the mantle of Spider-Man, they were part of a lesser-known indie film that sparked a dramatic series of events, leading to the destruction of friendships, legal battles, and a lasting Hollywood grudge.
The film, *Don’s Plum*, was a black-and-white slice of 1990s life that featured a group of young actors, many of whom would go on to become household names. However, instead of being celebrated as a stepping stone for its stars, *Don’s Plum* became a point of contention between its creators and its actors, particularly DiCaprio and Maguire.
Filmmaker and producer Dale Wheatley, one of the men behind *Don’s Plum*, found himself at the center of a storm when his friends and co-stars of the film sought to block its release.
In a recent interview with Popcorn Planet, Wheatley opened up about his side of the story, revealing years of personal and professional damage caused by the actions of DiCaprio and Maguire.
What began as a dream for Wheatley—making a feature film with his friends—soon turned into a nightmare. The tension culminated in a legal dispute that not only barred *Don’s Plum* from being shown in the United States and Canada but also effectively blacklisted Wheatley from the film industry.
Over 20 years later, Wheatley is ready to tell his story, one that involves betrayal, alleged abuse of power, and a deep look into the dark underbelly of Hollywood.
The Origins of a Hollywood Scandal: Wheatley’s Journey
In the interview, Wheatley recounted the origins of *Don’s Plum*. The film was meant to be a low-budget, indie project showcasing the talents of rising stars. Shot in black-and-white, it portrayed a group of friends engaging in raw, sometimes uncomfortable conversations over the course of one night at a diner.
With Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire as two of the lead actors, the film seemed destined to attract attention, and it did—but not in the way anyone anticipated.
As *Don’s Plum* gained buzz in the indie film circuit, it also drew the ire of Maguire, who spearheaded an effort to block the film’s release. According to Wheatley, Maguire feared that his performance in the film might tarnish his burgeoning reputation, particularly as he was eyeing larger roles in mainstream Hollywood.
In an unexpected twist, DiCaprio, who by then was on the verge of superstardom following his roles in *Romeo + Juliet* and *Titanic*, sided with Maguire. The two actors allegedly conspired to ensure the film never saw the light of day in North America.
Wheatley shared that Maguire, in particular, went to great lengths to discredit the film and its creators, leading to a court battle that ultimately resulted in a distribution ban in the U.S. and Canada.
The Betrayal: DiCaprio and Maguire’s Role in the Fallout
Wheatley expressed a deep sense of betrayal from both DiCaprio and Maguire, who he considered close friends before the fallout.
“These guys were my friends. I feel so betrayed,” Wheatley said in the interview, describing how their actions not only ended their friendship but also had a lasting impact on his career in Hollywood.
In one particularly shocking revelation, Wheatley described how a prominent Hollywood producer who had shown interest in one of his projects backed out after learning about his connection to *Don’s Plum* and the fallout with DiCaprio and Maguire.
“The producer told me, ‘I can’t afford to get on the wrong side of DiCaprio,’ and just like that, the deal was off,” Wheatley said.
The shadow of *Don’s Plum* has followed Wheatley ever since, with many in the industry distancing themselves from him out of fear of upsetting DiCaprio, who has since become one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood.
A Book of Truth: Wheatley’s Hollywood Memoir
Now, decades after the original scandal, Wheatley has decided to set the record straight in his new book, *Too Real: A Hollywood Memoir*.
The book, which Wheatley described as “meaty” and “wildly entertaining,” details not only the behind-the-scenes drama of *Don’s Plum* but also the alleged abuses of power that he witnessed during his time in Hollywood.
Wheatley shared that one of his motivations for writing the book was DiCaprio’s public statement accusing him of profiting illegally from the film. “It was a lie meant to disparage me,” Wheatley said. “That’s when I knew I had to write this book and tell my side of the story.”
The memoir includes explosive details about DiCaprio, Maguire, and other Hollywood figures. One story, in particular, has caught the attention of many—an incident involving DiCaprio and a famous actress at a private party.
Wheatley described how DiCaprio allegedly coerced the actress into a compromising situation while another actor, Ethan Suplee, filmed the encounter. The actress, Wheatley claimed, was devastated by the experience the following day, highlighting what Wheatley sees as a pattern of abusive behavior by DiCaprio.
Tobey Maguire: The Dark Side of Spider-Man
While DiCaprio’s alleged misdeeds are detailed in the book, it is Tobey Maguire who emerges as the more sinister figure. Wheatley described Maguire as a man with a “fetish for humiliating people.” According to Wheatley, Maguire would often engage in inappropriate behavior, including one instance where he allegedly exposed himself and dipped his genitals into someone’s drink at a party.
Wheatley also theorized that Maguire’s desire to bury *Don’s Plum* was partly fueled by his fear that the film would damage his clean-cut image, particularly after being cast as Spider-Man. “It wasn’t just about the movie,” Wheatley said. “It was about protecting the brand he was building.”
Wheatley’s story is not just about personal grievances with DiCaprio and Maguire. He also hopes to shine a light on the broader issue of power dynamics in Hollywood. “There’s this pattern of abuse of power that exists in Hollywood, and it affects so many people,” Wheatley said. “I’m just one example of what happens when powerful people want to destroy someone’s career.”
He emphasized that his book isn’t just a takedown of DiCaprio and Maguire but a larger commentary on the toxic environment that often goes unchecked in the entertainment industry. Wheatley believes that by telling his story, he can give voice to others who have been wronged by powerful figures in Hollywood.
For Wheatley, the story of *Don’s Plum* is not just a thing of the past. The impact of what happened continues to shape his life, both personally and professionally. In his interview with Popcorn Planet, Wheatley made it clear that he’s not done fighting for his voice to be heard. “I’m proud of this book because it tells the truth,” he said. “And it’s a truth that I think a lot of people need to hear.”
As Hollywood continues to reckon with its culture of power and privilege, Wheatley’s story serves as a reminder that even those at the top of the industry are not immune to scrutiny. Whether or not DiCaprio and Maguire respond to the claims made in *Too Real*, one thing is certain: Wheatley’s book has reignited a conversation about the darker side of Hollywood—and the price some pay for telling the truth.