Making an Oscar bid often doesn't require top-notch roles and acting, as there are many influential factors off the screen. Martin lacked confidence in this so-called "misery campaign."
According to Nicholson, the plan was mainly initiated and devised by Leonardo.
In his past life, it took Leonardo twenty years of being a professional runner-up before he finally won the Best Actor award in an off-year for movies.
The reason Leonardo was able to get an Oscar now had a lot to do with Martin.
On one hand, it was about breaking away from his established image and making a bid for awards by playing ugly; on the other hand, Harvey Weinstein's early downfall created a power vacuum during the Oscar season.
The latter was more critical.
Could a plan formulated by such a Leonardo win him the Oscar statuette?
However, Martin didn't refuse the goodwill of Leonardo and Nicholson. He was neither short of money nor fame, so he decided to treat it like an amusing game and just go for it.
