In Martin Scorsese's upcoming film, Killers of the Flower Moon, actor Leonardo Di Caprio wore protective butt padding for a spanking scene which was not originally included in the book.

Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto told Insider that he was surprised when he realised he had to film the scene."I don't think that was in the first script, That was something that was added, and it's shocking in the film."

Prieto read "Killers of the Flower Moon" before making the movie, so he was quite shocked when he learned Oscar award winning Robert De Niro's character spanks Oscar award winning Leonardo DiCaprio's character with a giant paddle. (In David Grann's acclaimed non-fiction book chronicling the Osage Nation murders during the 1920s, there is zero mention of anyone being paddled.

De Niro’s character, William Hale hits Di Caprio's Ernest Burkhart with a paddle as punishment for throwing a wrench in the duo’s plans to rob the Osage nation.

The cinematographer continued, “I do remember doing them quite a few times and thinking, ‘Oh, that must hurt.’ There was some padding on his butt. But you could tell De Niro was really hitting him.”

Robert De Niro, legendary actor is known for not doing things by half, is known for his method acting, having spent hours working as a cab driver for his role in Taxi Driver in 1976.

Equally Di Caprio is no stranger to putting his body to the text for his craft, having eaten raw bison liver on camera for his oscar winning role in The Revenant.

Speaking warmly of Leonardo DiCaprio's talent Prieto says, “Leo is game for so much,” he added. “He’ll do anything.”

Perhaps the actor is looking to follow in De Niro's footsteps and bag a second academy award.