From UK's Bliss Magazine

LEO THE BRAVEHEART
His new movie and toned, super-fit body, makes Leo a perfect man to watch in the 21st Century. Nobody thought he'd ever top Titanic but if our sneak preview of Leo's latest movie is anything to go by he's about to capture a million more hearts. In The Beach, set for release early next year, Leo plays the absurdly sexy Richard Lewis, a traveller happily backpacking around Thailand - until he finds a map which supposedly leads to a legendary island paradise. That's when things get a bit out of hand. The $20million a movie star was worried about looking lardy in his first major role since Titanic so he hired a personal trainer, and put a lid on his burgers 'n' fries bingeing. Leo spent three months filming in Thailand, during which he nearly drowned, risked getting eaten by sharks and had to sunbathe every day to keep his tan topped up. (Okay, maybe the last bit wasn't too bad.) "I wish I could tell you some fantastic stories," says Leo. "It's been incredible shooting on an island like this, but it's about work and more work. My life was spent sleeping on a boat or at the hotel."

GREEN CRUSADER

Leo's quick to defend claims the film-makers damaged areas of natural beauty during filming in Thailand. "From what I've seen all the allegations are false", he remarks. "Tons of trash was taken off the beach and it looks better than ever but my name has now become a symbol of what is supposed to have gone on. It's upsetting - I don't want to have a reputation as someone who endorses what is seen to be destructive to the environment." In a personal bid to put things right, Leo found time to get involved in local green issues during his stay. "If I want to help out with environment causes in future I want to start with a clean slate and not have people think I choose movies that are reckless," he said, donating a huge amount of money to the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund which aims to protect mountain gorillas from extinction. Unsurprisingly, he also became popular with local kids when he gave 120 local children copies of Titanic as a thank you for helping out with the making of the film. But, after the box office smashes with What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Romeo & Juliet and Titanic, it's not just Leo's film career that's going well, he's rekindled an old flame - model Kristen Zang. The pair split when Leo went a bit mad for the ladies (using chat up lines line "you've got eyes like Julia Roberts" - classy). After being told to "grow up and get a life" by Kristen he's been forgiven and has promised to behave himself. We recken The Beach is one of next year's best new movies. Add to this Leo's looks, talent, charm and downright sexiness, and it's easy to see why he gets our vote as film hero of the millennium.

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