'Gangs of New York' trivia and fun facts

Jay Cocks and Martin Scorsese wrote their first screenplay draft in 1977.

Martin Scorsese hired "The Magician", an Italian man famous for a 30-year career as a pickpocket, to teach Cameron Diaz about the art of picking pockets.

Christina Ricci auditioned for the role of Jenny Everdeane.

During filming Daniel Day-Lewis talked with his film accent during the entire time of production, even when he was not on the set.

Daniel Day-Lewis became so uncomfortable with the greasy hairstyle he wore as Bill the Butcher, that immediately after filming completed, he shaved his head.

Martin Scorsese's first edit of the film lasted in excess of three hours.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers was offered a part before production, but turned it down because he said he was too busy with other projects.

Leonardo DiCaprio accidentally broke Daniel Day-Lewis' nose while filming a fight scene. Day-Lewis continued to film the scene despite the injury.

Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson and Sean McGinley also appeared in Michael Collins (1996).

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio both took salary reductions to preserve the budget.