az Luhrmann’s reimagining of Romeo + Juliet first hit screens 30 years ago and quickly became one of the most popular modern adaptations of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.

The two star-crossed lovers were played by some of Hollywood’s most promising up-and-coming talent, Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio, and their on-screen chemistry had audiences swooning.

Leonardo played Romeo while Claire played Juliet© Alamy Stock Photo
Leonardo played Romeo while Claire played Juliet

Behind the scenes, Claire, who was 17 at the time of filming, harboured a crush on her 22-year-old co-star, Leonardo, but rumours circulated that the pair didn’t always get along.

“There was definitely a spark, but I don’t think either of us knew how to handle it,” Claire told Glamour. “So, we sometimes sort of ignored each other. It was too big for us to really accept.”

What did Miriam Margolyes say?

Miriam Margolyes starred alongside Claire and Leonardo as Juliet’s nurse in the film, and reflected on the young pair’s dynamic in her 2021 memoir, This Much Is True.

Miriam Margolyes at the Romeo + Juliet premiere in 1996© Penske Media via Getty Images
Miriam Margolyes at the Romeo + Juliet premiere in 1996

“It was obvious to all of us that she really was in love with her Romeo, but Leonardo wasn’t in love with her,” wrote Miriam. “She wasn’t his type at all. He didn’t know how to cope with her evident infatuation.”

The actress continued: “He wasn’t sensitive to her feelings, was dismissive of her and could be quite nasty in his keenness to get away, while Claire was utterly sincere and so open. It was painful to watch.”

What did Claire Danes say?

Rumours persisted after Claire turned down the chance to star opposite Leonardo in the Oscar-winning movie Titanic, with the role eventually going to Kate Winslet.

Reflecting on her decision, Claire told actor Dax Shepherd on his podcast, Armchair Expert, in 2020: “Honestly, I had just made this romantic epic with Leo in Mexico City, which is where they were going to shoot Titanic, and I just didn’t have it in me.”

The pair had great on-screen chemistry© WireImage
The pair had great on-screen chemistry

Claire added that she spoke with Leonardo about it at the time. “I knew he was wrestling with the decision to do that movie or not and he looked up at me and said, ‘I’m doing it.’ I could see he wasn’t sure but he was like ‘[Explicit] it, I’ve got to do this thing,” she said.

While her co-star took the role, Claire admitted she wasn’t ready for it. “I remember after the movie came out and he just went into another stratosphere… It was a little scary. I just couldn’t do it, I didn’t want it,” she said.

“I was really clear about it, I wasn’t conflicted. I was feeling eager to have different creative experiences and that felt like a repeat and it was going to propel me towards something that I knew I didn’t have the resources to cope with.”