Adam Scott was ‘terrified’ filming 'The Aviator' with Scorsese, DiCaprio

Adam Scott found himself a bit overwhelmed while making The Aviator.Scott, now 53, reflected on his career during a conversation with The Guardian.

Early in his career, he took part in The Aviator, a 2004 film centered on Howard Hughes, an aviation pioneer who also directed the 1930 classic, Hell's Angels.

The cast included Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes, Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn, and Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner, along with a supporting cast of John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, and Jude Law. The film was directed by Martin Scorsese.

When asked about the pressure of working on The Aviator, Scott confessed, “At first, I was really nervous.”

However, his perspective shifted. “But once you're on set, you realize these folks are just normal people, despite being actors working through a scene,” he explained. “Everyone was incredibly welcoming and made me feel at ease instantly.”

Scott also observed how Scorsese, now 83, brings out such compelling performances from his actors.

“He’s very collaborative and encourages you to integrate yourself into the process and try improvisation,” he remarked.

“I had a scene with Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, and Jude Law at this massive Cocoanut Grove [nightclub] set. The respect for Scorsese was palpable, because between takes, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was really focused on creating an exceptional film.”

Reflecting on his time on set with Scorsese, he noted it was “easygoing, collaborative, and incredibly enjoyable.”

The Aviator depicted Hughes’ journey between 1927 and 1947, highlighting both his career as a movie producer and the creation of the Hughes Aircraft Company.

Concurrently, he became increasingly unstable due to severe obsessive–compulsive disorder. Scott took on the role of Johnny Meyer, who served as Hughes' publicist.

The Aviator was recognised with 11 Academy Award nominations, winning five, including Best Supporting Actress for Blanchett.

Nominations were extended to both DiCaprio and Scorsese. It marked DiCaprio’s second Oscar nomination following What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Scorsese’s fifth as a director.

Scorsese won in 2007 for The Departed, while DiCaprio achieved his Oscar win in 2016 for The Revenant, marking his fifth acting nomination.

The Aviator led the 77th Academy Awards with 11 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Scorsese, Best Actor for DiCaprio, and Best Supporting Actor for Alda, securing a total of five wins, with Blanchett taking home Best Supporting Actress.