Looking back now, it’s clear that Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio had incredible luck in accepting the role in Titanic. However, at that time not everyone saw it the same way and there were critics who questioned James Cameron and his megalomaniac work. It was the first film in history to surpass 1000 (and 2000) million and held the title of the highest-grossing film in history until he surpassed himself with Avatar. A huge success, indeed.
Near, far, wherever you are
One of these critics, who imagined that the movie was going to be a success for everyone except for the actors starring in it, was John C. Reilly, one of the best actors in modern history, who tried to get DiCaprio to abandon Cameron to star in Boogie Nights directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. By the way, it’s a great film.
Reilly, who has known DiCaprio since he was young, got together with him to tell him his truth: “Listen, Leo, let me tell you something. Titanic is about a ship that sinks. Everyone knows the ship sinks. No one is going to give a damn who is on the ship“. One cannot say that the story has proven him right, for sure.
To convince him, he spoke wonders of Anderson: “This guy, this director, is going to be one of the most talented in some time, and you shouldn’t miss this opportunity”. That said, he was right, but DiCaprio wanted to continue with Titanic because his agents convinced him that he had to do something big. “I’m telling you, man, I’m telling you, I wouldn’t lie to you. It’s about a ship that sinks,” Reilly insisted.
In the end, Mark Wahlberg starred in Boogie Nights and gave an incredible performance, while DiCaprio would eventually team up with Paul Thomas Anderson in the fabulous The Master. In the end, as is not often the case in Hollywood, everyone came out winning.