SUPERYACHTS. OSCARS. LAVISH parties. The life of Leonardo DiCaprio is hardly relatable. But back in 1999, he was just like us: hooked on Star Wars toys. The tie-in merch deluge for The Phantom Menace was vast, and at 1.30am on May the third (so close), DiCaprio was papped in the Santa Monica branch of Toys R Us, buying a trolley-load of Episode I collectibles. He got an Amidala doll. He got a Trade Federation Droid Fighter. And yes, he got a classic yellow N-1 Starfighter. Excitement for Star Wars’ return was inescapable even in the upper echelons of Hollywood (though DiCaprio reportedly turned down the chance to play Anakin). We hope he didn’t kick the habit —anyone else reckon the LEGO Star Wars UCS Venator was top of his 2023 Christmas list?
BEN TRAVIS