Jonah Hill’s career trajectory took an exciting turn when he landed a role in Martin Scorsese’s high-octane drama, “The Wolf of Wall Street,” alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Hill recounted his surreal experience at Annette Insdorf’s “Reel Pieces” series at the 92Y, revealing the blend of terror and elation that marked his journey into this iconic film. Emma Tillinger Koskoff, a producer on “The Wolf of Wall Street,” affirmed Hill’s impact, stating, “When Jonah Hill auditioned he blew Marty away,” a sentiment easily understood by anyone witnessing Hill’s compelling presence. Beyond his well-known comedic talent, Hill projects an aura of sincerity, passion, and approachability that makes his story all the more captivating.
Hill detailed the pivotal moment that opened the door to “The Wolf of Wall Street,” initiated by his Oscar nomination for “Moneyball.” “When ‘Moneyball’ came out and I got nominated for an Academy Award,” Hill explained, “That was a very special time. A lot of opportunities came my way.” Among these opportunities was a life-altering phone call from his agent. The message was direct and somewhat humbling: he was being considered for a role opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in a Martin Scorsese film, albeit as a “bottom of a list” candidate. Despite the initial ranking, for Hill, it was “the coolest phone call I’d ever gotten.”
To fully immerse himself in the world of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Hill delved into Jordan Belfort’s memoir and Terence Winter’s screenplay. He expressed profound admiration for Winter, known for his work on “The Sopranos” and “Boardwalk Empire,” stating, “Winter is one of my heroes.” The script resonated deeply with Hill, triggering an immediate and visceral reaction. “If an actor once in their life reads a script and says I have to play that part and they are able to play it, that is the luckiest thing that could happen in an actor’s life,” Hill reflected. He counted “The Wolf of Wall Street” among the rare scripts that evoked this powerful response, alongside earlier career highlights like “Superbad,” “Cyrus,” and “Moneyball.”
Driven by an almost urgent need to embody the character, Hill took a bold step. Before any formal decisions were made, he met with Leonardo DiCaprio and declared his intent, “I have to play this part so I’m sorry if you have anyone else in mind. That’s just not going to happen.” This assertive stance underscored his deep connection to the role and the story. While acknowledging the film’s depiction of “excess and intense immoral behavior,” Hill emphasized the character’s societal relevance as his primary motivation. He saw Donnie Azoff as a reflection of contemporary issues, stating, “I recognized that person in society. I feel they are a lot of what’s wrong.” For Hill, portraying Azoff was about “bringing that character to life and illuminating what’s wrong with that behavior, that kind of excess, valuing money over everything else and becoming obscenely wealthy.”
The journey to securing the role involved a nerve-wracking audition with Martin Scorsese himself. After a month and a half of anticipation, the meeting was set. Hill’s anxiety was palpable. “I went in to meet with him and I was terrified,” he admitted. The setting for the audition added an unexpected layer of discomfort. In Scorsese’s office screening room, Hill found himself in sweltering heat. “I got so hot and started sweating and thought it was because I was nervous,” he recalled. A restroom mirror offered a moment of self-correction – “Get it together” – but upon returning, he realized the issue was not nerves but a broken air conditioning unit. Summoning his courage, Hill addressed the legendary director directly, “Guys, I don’t want to sound rude or imposing but is there anywhere else we can do this audition because I’m so hot.” Scorsese’s response was immediate and understanding, “You’re right, it’s so hot in here, kid.”
Relocating to Scorsese’s office, the audition finally commenced. Hill performed a few scenes, receiving notes from the director. Despite the encouraging interaction, Hill tempered his expectations. Leaving the meeting, he walked downtown, telling himself, “If this is all that comes from this, this was still the greatest experience of my life. I got to act in front of my favorite director of all time. I can’t have any more expectations than this.” The waiting period was protracted and filled with uncertainty. “Every day I got a call, ‘They didn’t say no yet but they’re seeing another actor who is way better than you,'” Hill recounted, highlighting the industry’s relentless pressure. Finally, the life-changing call arrived one evening during dinner. It was DiCaprio with the news: “I just talked to Marty and you’re the guy.” Hill’s reaction was unrestrained joy, “I ran around the streets screaming.” This moment marked “the beginning of the most surreal, and what continues to be the most surreal, and most exciting thing in my life so far.”
Reflecting on his early exposure to Scorsese’s work, Hill shared his formative cinematic experience. At age nine, he watched “Goodfellas,” a film that profoundly impacted him. “From that moment on that was my favorite film and I wanted to be a part of the movie making process,” he explained. His parents’ lenient stance on art allowed him to watch films like “Goodfellas” at a young age, shaping his artistic aspirations. “So you can imagine what this experience has meant to me,” Hill emphasized, underscoring the full-circle nature of working with his cinematic idol. He further elaborated on Scorsese’s directorial brilliance, praising his ability to capture the multifaceted nature of human emotion. “What I love about Martin Scorsese and why he’s my favorite filmmaker is that his movies encompass all different feelings at once. Like in life, a moment isn’t categorized as just one feeling. In his movies, a lot happens in the same scene.” He cited the iconic Joe Pesci scene in “Goodfellas” – “You think I’m a clown? Do I amuse you?” – as a prime example of Scorsese’s mastery in blending humor and terror within a single scene.
The intensity of “The Wolf of Wall Street” extended to the demanding Quaaludes scene with DiCaprio. Hill revealed the extensive preparation required, including consulting a drug expert. “There were a lot of takes and we had to meet with a drug expert. Seriously,” he stated. To authentically portray Donnie Azoff’s drug-addicted state, Hill sought guidance from a former drug addict turned counselor. “She walked me through what it would feel like to be on all of these different drugs,” he explained, emphasizing the commitment to realism in his portrayal. When asked if his previous roles prepared him for the challenges of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Hill responded with a definitive, “Nothing could really prepare you for ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’ [Laughs]” This acknowledgment encapsulates the unique and transformative experience of being part of Scorsese’s cinematic world.
