After the mixed reaction to The Beach in 2000, DiCaprio wanted his next move to matter. According to interviews DiCaprio later gave to outlets like ShortList, George Lucas personally approached him about joining the Star Wars prequels. In past interviews, he admitted he did not feel prepared for the pressure that comes with being the face of a franchise like Star Wars. Instead of joining Star Wars, DiCaprio made a very different choice. In 2002, the same year Hayden Christensen appeared as Anakin Skywalker, DiCaprio starred in Gangs of New York.