Leonardo DiCaprio Refuses to Play Final Fantasy IX After It Turns 25

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A Consistent Cutoff

Leonardo DiCaprio has built a reputation for consistency in his personal life, and it appears that this rule now extends to his gaming habits. According to sources close to the Hollywood actor, he has officially stopped playing Final Fantasy IX after the game reached its 25th anniversary.

Released in 2000 for the original PlayStation, Final Fantasy IX is widely regarded as one of the greatest entries in Square Enix’s long-running role-playing franchise. It has been celebrated for its whimsical art style, emotional storytelling, and memorable cast of characters. Yet for DiCaprio, its 25-year milestone has made it simply too old to keep in his library.

The actor allegedly told friends during a private gathering that while the game was an enjoyable companion for many years, he could no longer ignore the number. At precisely 25 years old, he claims, it has reached the age where he inevitably loses interest. To some, this might sound like an unusual reason to stop playing a video game. To others, it sounds all too familiar.

“Final Fantasy IX was magical when it was younger,” DiCaprio reportedly said. “But once it hit that 25-year mark, I realized it just was not for me anymore. I prefer something fresher, something with more of its future ahead of it.”

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Searching for Something Younger

Industry insiders suggest that DiCaprio has already begun to move on from Final Fantasy IX. He has been spotted browsing the PlayStation Store for newer titles, gravitating toward those with far less mileage.

One report claims he has downloaded Final Fantasy XVI, which is barely a year old and therefore “exactly his type.” Friends say he has been gushing about its graphics and modern design, insisting that the franchise still has plenty of vitality when it is in its early twenties or younger.

Others note that DiCaprio has taken a liking to Final Fantasy VII Remake. While the original version of the game first launched in 1997 and is now well past his cutoff point, the remake was released in 2020. According to those familiar with his thinking, the shiny new coat of paint essentially resets its age in his eyes.

One insider put it bluntly: “He likes that the remake can pass for something brand new. It might be 27 if you look at the birth certificate, but with that facelift, it looks like 23.”

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The Industry Reacts

Reactions from the gaming industry have been mixed. Square Enix, which continues to promote Final Fantasy IX as a timeless classic, issued a carefully worded statement. The company reminded fans that the game had been remastered and ported to modern platforms, making it accessible for a new generation. While they did not mention DiCaprio by name, the message seemed designed to defend IX’s enduring appeal.

Some within the gaming community, however, took a more humorous approach. Veteran composer Nobuo Uematsu, who wrote the soundtrack for the game, poked fun at the actor in a tweet. “So what if IX is 25,” he wrote. “My music is ageless. Maybe Leo should date soundtracks instead.” The post was liked and shared thousands of times, with many fans calling it the most elegant burn in recent gaming memory.

Analysts, meanwhile, warned of a troubling precedent. If major celebrities begin dismissing games purely based on age, they argue, it could lead to a distorted view of gaming history. “If we follow DiCaprio’s logic, Pac-Man should be collecting Social Security and Tetris should be in a nursing home,” one commentator wrote. “At some point we need to value classics for what they are, not how old they happen to be.”

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Celebrity Commentary

DiCaprio’s decision quickly spread beyond gaming circles, prompting reactions from fellow celebrities who were eager to join in the banter. Some used it as an opportunity for jokes, while others expressed genuine confusion at the actor’s steadfast cutoff rule.

George Clooney was one of the first to weigh in, poking fun at the situation in an interview.

“I tried to get Leo into Pong, but he said it was too mature,” Clooney quipped.

Singer Billie Eilish offered her own perspective on Instagram, reminding her fans that she herself is younger than Final Fantasy IX. “I was not even born when it came out,” she posted. “So I guess Leo’s logic checks out. He only plays games that are younger than me.”

Spider-Man star Tom Holland, on the other hand, admitted he did not see the issue. He told reporters that he still plays Super Mario 64, a game that is nearly 30 years old. “But then again,” he added, “I am not Leo.”

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Fans Weigh In

Online reaction to the news was swift and merciless. On Twitter, one post read, “Leonardo dropping IX the moment it turned 25 is the most Leonardo thing imaginable.” Within hours, the comment had been retweeted thousands of times and became the centerpiece of countless memes.

On Reddit, fans took the joke even further. A thread on r/FinalFantasy collected hundreds of comments comparing the situation to DiCaprio’s real-life relationships. “He treats games the same way he treats girlfriends,” one user wrote. “Once they hit 25, it is time to upgrade.”

Others speculated on which games he might pursue next. Some predicted he would commit to Final Fantasy XVI for a while, but only until its inevitable 25th anniversary arrives in 2048. Others warned that his current flirtation with Final Fantasy VII Remake could be short-lived if Square Enix ever releases a patch acknowledging its true age.

The debate even spilled over into gaming communities not typically focused on role-playing games. On a PlayStation forum, one poster asked, “Does this mean he is still allowed to play Fortnite? Or is that going to expire once it gets a college degree?”

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Normal People Respond

Beyond celebrity chatter and online memes, everyday people had their own take on the actor’s unusual decision. Interviews conducted outside a GameStop in Philadelphia revealed a mix of confusion, amusement, and reluctant understanding.

“I have been married for 26 years and I still love my wife,” one man said, shaking his head. “If Leo treated marriage like video games, the divorce rate would be catastrophic.”

A college student in the same line shrugged off the news with a more playful comment. “Look, Final Fantasy IX peaked around 22 anyway. Zidane was great, but after that, things got weird.”

Another shopper, holding a bag of retro titles, confessed that he could relate on some level. “I dumped Tetris when it hit 30,” he admitted. “Nobody wants to feel old when they are gaming.”

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Always Moving On

For Leonardo DiCaprio, consistency is everything. Whether it is relationships or role-playing games, the number 25 is a bright red line he simply will not cross. Fans may debate whether Final Fantasy IX deserved to be cast aside, but for the actor the choice was as natural as any other.

In Hollywood and in gaming, DiCaprio continues to apply the same philosophy: stay young, stay fresh, and never stick around once the candles on the cake reach 25.

While Final Fantasy IX will remain a beloved part of gaming history, it now joins a long list of things Leonardo DiCaprio has left behind. His future, it seems, lies in younger titles like Final Fantasy XVI, while IX is destined to remain a nostalgic memory rather than a current companion.

As one fan observed, the actor is nothing if not predictable. When it comes to both girlfriends and games, Leonardo DiCaprio will always be ready to upgrade.

FAQs

Question	Answer
Why did Leonardo DiCaprio stop playing Final Fantasy IX?	He reportedly said the game was too old after turning 25 years old.
What games is he playing now?	Sources say he is playing Final Fantasy XVI and has shown interest in Final Fantasy VII Remake.
How did Square Enix respond?	The company reminded fans that Final Fantasy IX has been remastered and continues to hold up beautifully.
Did any celebrities comment?	Yes. George Clooney, Billie Eilish, and Tom Holland all weighed in with their own jokes and reactions.
How did fans react?	Many pointed out the parallel with DiCaprio’s well-known pattern of dating women under 25.
When was Final Fantasy IX released?	It was released in 2000 for the PlayStation, making it 25 years old in 2025.
Is Final Fantasy IX still popular?	Yes. It is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the franchise and is often re-released.
Will DiCaprio ever return to it?	Unlikely. Fans joked he might only come back if it receives a full remake that “makes it look 20 again.”
What did everyday fans say?	Reactions ranged from outrage to jokes about Zidane peaking at 22.
What is the bigger takeaway?	Leonardo DiCaprio is consistent: he moves on from anything that turns 25, whether in love or in gaming.