James Cameron has recently revealed that Leonardo DiCaprio’s “arrogance” almost cost him the Titanic’s lead role.
Speaking to GQ magazine, James recalled he was “initially charmed” by Leo in his first meeting but later when he arranged a screen test for him with Kate Winslet, he rejected to read from the script during audition process.
“Leo didn’t know he was going to test. He came in, he thought it was another meeting to meet Kate,” revealed James.
The director mentioned, “And I said, ‘okay, we'll just go in the next room we'll run some lines, and I'll video it’. And he said, ‘you mean I'm reading?’ and I said ‘Yeah’. He said, ‘I don't read’.
James told the outlet, “I just shook his hand and thanked him for coming by. Leo replied, ‘You mean if I don't read, I don't get the part, just like that?’”
The movie-maker explained to Leo that Titanic was “a giant movie” and he could not “make a wrong decision” in casting.
After this, Leonardo, according to James reluctantly agreed to read the lines.
“He was so negative right until I said action and he turned into Jack.”