James Cameron is known for working with relatively lesser-known actors in his big expensive films. Case in point Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘Titanic‘, who was doing small independent films before meeting Cameron. The risk paid off and the film went on to create history.
However, Leonardo was this close to not getting the role during the audition process. Cameron recently revealed in an interview what had happened at that time. So let’s take a deep dive into this whole mystery that could have changed the course of Leo’s career. Keep on reading.
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Leonardo DiCaprio Almost Didn’t Get ‘Titanic’
‘Titanic‘ was the film that created history. It became a massive box-office success and took home Oscar Awards more than any film before it. The film also made DiCaprio and Kate Winslet an overnight sensation.
In a career retrospective video interview for GQ magazine, Cameron revealed how the actor almost didn’t get the role. He recalled that DiCaprio refused to read for the part of Jack Dawson during the audition.
The director had to tell the young actor, “You’re going to read, or you’re not going to get the part.” He continued, “There was a meeting with Leo and then there was a screen test with Leo”.
“The meeting was funny because I am sitting in my conference room, waiting to meet an actor. And I look around, and all the women in the entire office are in the meeting. They all wanted to meet Leo. It was hysterical.”
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James Cameron Finalized Winslet Before Leo
Cameron stated that DiCaprio “charmed everyone” in his first meeting, but the screen test proved to be a mix-bag. Winslet was already finalized for Rose before his audition.
“So I said, ‘Okay, we’ll just go in the next room, and we’ll run some lines and I’ll video it,’ Cameron recalled. “And he said, ‘You mean, I’m reading?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘Oh, I don’t read.’ I shook his hand and said, ‘Thanks for coming by.’”
“Wait, wait, wait. If I don’t read, I don’t get the part? Just like that?” Cameron answered, “Oh, yeah. Come on. This is a giant movie that is going to take two years of my life, and you’ll be gone doing five other things while I’m doing post-production. So, I’m not going to fuck it up by making the wrong decision in casting. So, you’re going to read, or you’re not going to get the part.’”
“So he comes in, and he’s like every ounce of his entire being is just so negative — right up until I said, ‘Action.’ Then he turned into Jack,” the director concluded.
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