In an upcoming anniversary celebration for his film “Titanic,” director James Cameron has disclosed that he initially considered casting someone other than Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet for the iconic roles of Jack and Rose in the movie.
Cameron revealed in a recent video interview with GQ that he was initially contemplating casting Gwyneth Paltrow for the role of Rose, and had reservations about considering Kate Winslet. He had concerns about Winslet being typecast and had apprehensions about her suitability for the role.
Regarding his initial impressions of Winslet, Cameron mentioned, “I actually didn’t see Kate at first. She had done a couple of other historical dramas as well, and she was getting a reputation as ‘Corset Kate’ doing historical stuff.”
Cameron also faced challenges with casting DiCaprio. After an awkward initial meeting with the actor, Cameron insisted on a screen test with Winslet to assess their on-screen chemistry. When DiCaprio expressed reluctance to audition, Cameron firmly told him that he had to audition to be considered for the part.
Despite these initial difficulties, the chemistry between DiCaprio and Winslet ultimately translated onto the screen, leading to the massive success and critical acclaim of “Titanic,” which went on to win 11 Academy Awards, including Best Director for Cameron.
The upcoming anniversary has prompted a revisit of these behind-the-scenes revelations, shedding new light on the process of casting these iconic roles in one of the biggest blockbuster hits of all time.