Leonardo Dicaprio was urged by Steve Jobs' widow to reject the chance to play the former Apple boss.

Laurene Powell Jobs - who opposes the Danny Boyle-directed project - was reportedly so keen to stop it being made that she personally contacted the 40-year-old actor and fellow Hollywood star Christian Bale, who was also linked to the role.

A source told The Hollywood Reporter: ''Laurene Jobs called Leo DiCaprio and said: 'Don't do it.' Laurene Jobs called Christian Bale and said: 'Don't.'''

What's more, the insider revealed Laurene has been ''trying to kill this movie'' for years.

The role of Jobs was ultimately accepted by Michael Fassbender, who recently admitted he ''was very nervous'' about playing the American businessman.

He shared: ''I'm not a very techie person. I use all the Apple products, but I had no real insight into him.

''I was nervous. I was very nervous. It was going to be a big challenge, the volume of words alone.''

However, Michael revealed Danny Boyle was the reason he decided to accept the role.

He said: ''I was like, 'I don't look anything like him.' And Danny was like, 'That's not what we're going for. I'm looking for someone who can capture an essence.' ''