With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Leonardo DiCaprio Does NOT Get Raped By A Bear In New Movie, Says Studio
Contrary to what you have heard, Leo does not get raped—twice!—by a bear in his forthcoming desperate attempt for an Oscar film, The Revenant."DICAPRIO RAPED BY BEAR IN FOX MOVIE!" was the deliciously silly headline that graced the top of the Drudge Report this morning, and the brief post only made it so much better:
The explicit moment from Oscar winning director Alejandro Inarritu has caused maximum controversy in early screenings. Some in the audience escaped to the exits when the Wolf of Wall Street met the Grizzly of Yellowstone.
The story of rural survivalism and revenge reaches new violent levels for a mainstream film.
The bear flips Leo over and thrusts and thrusts during the explicit mauling.
"He is raped -- twice!"
Sponsored message
Even though several critics had already seen The Revenant and quickly dispelled the rumor, Jeb Bush's communications director Tim Miller was left wondering anyways:
Are there any recorded examples of a bear raping a human in real life?
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) December 1, 2015
So where-oh-where did Matt Drudge come up with his latest half-truth? Drudge's post links to a review of the film at Showbiz 411 by Roger Friedman, who right in the headline calls the attack a "molestation." The scene in question opens the movie and is actually being praised by Friedman (who recalls the terror of the shark in Jaws), but the language he uses to describe the mauling is quite colorful: "The bear flips Glass over on his belly and molests him—dry humps him actually—as he nearly devours him."
This is the Twitter Age, so everyone had something to say about the Bear Non-Rape:
We laugh now, but we shouldn't: Matt Drudge's bear rape report could have serious implications for Leo's Oscar chances. Here's why and why i
— Vadim Rizov (@vrizov) December 1, 2015
I'm sick and tired of all these actors doing bear-rape scenes in an obvious attempt to win the Oscar. #oscarbait #bearbait
— Russell (@RussellHFilm) December 1, 2015
Sponsored message
Here is the controversial scene from The Revenant pic.twitter.com/aPALhiJH38
— Sergio (@salobonavia) December 2, 2015
Here's the latest trailer for The Revenant, where you can catch a glimpse of the now-infamous bear non-rape attack:
The Revenant opens in limited-release on Christmas Day, with a wide-release on January 8, 2016.
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
