‘Titanic’: James Cameron almost rejected Leonardo DiCaprio for his acts of grandeur

‘Titanic’ is undoubtedly one of the greatest blockbusters in the history of cinema. A film that everyone recognizes only by listening to the first notes of ‘My Heart Will Go On’, by Céline Dion. Directed by James Cameron, the film was released in 1998 in Spain and was a complete success, as it managed to establish itself as one of the biggest grossers in history, a position it continues to occupy 24 years later in third position. ‘Titanic’ stars Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, but the latter almost lost his role due to his proud attitude during the casting.

This is what Cameron told it, who gave an interview to GQ where he analyzed his most iconic films and, obviously, ‘Titanic’ could not be missing from the list. The director commented that auditioning with DiCaprio was not easy and recalled that the actor refused to read with Winslet for the audition. “Oh, I don’t read”a proud DiCaprio told Cameron.

The director explains that before that day there was a previous meeting where he met the actor: “There was a meeting with Leo and then an audition. The meeting was fun because I was sitting in my conference room, waiting to meet the actor, and when I looked around, all the women in the office were in a meeting. They all wanted to meet Leo. It was fun.”comments Cameron with a laugh.

“Avatar” director acknowledged that DiCaprio captivated and captivated everyone, “including myself”, to confess. But the audition brought more controversy than that first meeting. “He came back a couple days later and I set up the camera to record the video. He didn’t know I was going to take the test. He thought it was another meeting to meet Kate. So I said, ‘Okay, we’ll go next room, play a few lines and I’ll film them.” And he said: “You mean I have to read?” I told him yes. And he said, “Oh, I don’t read.” I shook his hand and said, “Thanks for coming.” explains the director.

It was at that moment, and based on the actor’s proud response, that Cameron almost rejected DiCaprio, but the actor reasoned and backed down. “Wait, wait, wait. If I don’t read, I don’t get the part? Is that it?” DiCaprio asked. “Sure. Come on, this is a gigantic movie that’s going to take up two years of my life, and you’re going to go do five other things, while I’m in post-production. So, I’m not going to screw it up by making the wrong decision.” in casting. So, either read, or you won’t get the part”replied the director.

humility lesson

Cameron brought DiCaprio down to earth and reasoned, because he finally agreed to read his part. The director explains that the actor was very negative, “Until I said, ‘action.’ Then he became Jack. And Kate just lit up and they got into character, and he acted out the scene. The dark clouds parted and a ray of sunlight descended, illuminating Jack. I thought, ‘Okay. He’s the boy.'”

It was fortunate that DiCaprio reconsidered his decision and read his lines, as well as the fact that Cameron reconsidered, spoke to the actor and advised him to listen to him. What would have become of “Titanic” without Leo’s Jack? Could the director have found someone else who had the same chemistry with Winslet? It seems impossible, but we can only thank the director for shooting down the actor that day with a lesson in humility he would never forget.