James Cameron: Leonardo DiCaprio Nearly Lost Star-Making 'Titanic' Role

Academy Award-winning director James Cameron wont let anyone stand in the way of his vision, whether its a film executive or Leonardo DiCaprio .

In an interview with GQ published Tuesday, the legendary filmmaker revealed that DiCaprio nearly lost his role in 1997s Titanic because the not-yet-megastar initially refused to read for the part.

So, Leo came in of course, charmed everybody, myself included, Cameron told the magazine about the casting session. I said, All right, lets see what your chemistrys like with Kate [Winslet] . So he comes in a couple days later and Ive got the camera set up to record the video.

After years as a child and teen star, DiCaprio had curated an impressive rsum at that point, having starred in major films opposite Johnny Depp and Robert De Niro , but he had yet to lead a $200-million blockbuster like Titanic. Winslet had already been cast in the film.

He came in, he thought it was another meeting to meet Kate, Cameron told GQ. And I said, OK, so well just go in the next room and well just, well run some lines and Ill video it. And he said, You mean Im reading? And I said, Yeah. He said, Oh, I dont read.

Cameron recalled shaking his hand and thanking him for coming by. DiCaprio, who was in his early 20s, was so taken aback by the rather innocuous request that he asked: Wait, wait, wait, you mean if I dont read I dont get the part? Just like that?

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