Margot Robbie secured role in Wolf of Wall Street with one bold move on Leonardo DiCaprio

Margot Robbie had everyone on set stunned when she tried out for her now-iconic role in the Wolf of Wall Street.

The Aussie actress has revealed the unconventional way that she stood out from the rest when auditioning to play Naomi Lapaglia, the wife of investment banker Jordan Belfort.

The 2013 film saw Margot Robbie catapulted to Hollywood, earning her critical success and increased attention. She has previously held smaller roles for TV and film jobs such as Pan Am and About Time.

While auditioning to play the lead female role, Robbie performed a scene alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, who had already secured his lead role alongside close friend and director Martin Scorsese.

Margot Robbie's breakout role was in 2013 film The Wlf of Wall Street as Naomi Lapaglia. (Paramount Pictures)

Yet while acting out the scene which saw her and DiCaprio arguing, Robbie decided to add a touch of her own, as Scorsese later revealed to Time Magazine when being interviewed for the 100 Most Influential People issue in 2017.

Asked about his views on the actress, Scorsese said: "She clinched her part in The Wolf of Wall Street during our first meeting-by hauling off and giving Leonardo DiCaprio a thunderclap of a slap on the face.

"[It was] an improvisation that stunned us all."

Robbie has also spoken about the moment where she left her co-star reeling, as she told Harper's Bazaar in 2015: "In my head I was like, 'You have literally 30 seconds left in this room and if you don't do something impressive, nothing will ever come of it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance, just take it.'

"And so I start screaming at him and he's yelling back at me. And he's really scary. I can barely keep up."

Margot Robbie slapped Leonardo DiCaprio in a shock improvised move in her audition. (Paramount Pictures)

She added: "And he [Leonardo DiCaprio] ends it saying, 'You should be happy to have a husband like me, now get over here and kiss me.'

"So I walk up really close to his face and then I'm like, 'Maybe I should kiss him. When else am I ever going to get a chance to kiss Leo DiCaprio, ever?'"

She finished: "But another part of my brain clicks and I just go, Whack! I hit him in the face. And then I scream, 'F*** you!'

"And that's not in the script at all. The room just went dead silent and I froze."

It worked out for the best for Robbie though, as after the stunned silence settled, both DiCaprio and Scorsese laughed it off, and DiCaprio even requested another slap.

It also didn't stop her from being cast in the iconic role, as a week after the audition, she found out she had secured the lead role opposite the famous actor.

The role marked the start of Robbie's career, which then saw her nominated for numerous awards.