Among the evergreen cult classics in Hollywood, James Cameron’s blockbuster film Titanic is a top contender on that elite list. Using the tragic true-life disaster of the ill-fated ship as backdrop, Cameron wove a sweeping fictional romance that is still tugging at people’s heartstrings more than 25 years after its release.
Apart from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film also starred late British actor Bernard Hill who portrayed Captain Edward John Smith. The star appeared in an interview a few months before the re-release of Titanic in 3D and admitted that he did not expect the film to become such a massive hit. Hill also confessed that he was unable to understand the craze of fans who had seen the film innumerable times.
Bernard Hill Wasn’t Able To Comprehend The Hype Behind James Cameron’s Blockbuster
Among the many memorable films in Hollywood, some stand the test of time and remain etched in the hearts of the public forever. James Cameron’s Titanic is one of those films. While the prolific director depicted a real-life tragedy that rocked the world, it was his portrayal of the timeless love story between Jack and Rose played by Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet that made hearts melt.
The film which won a staggering 11 Oscars, was re-released in 3D in 2012 on the 100th anniversary of the unfortunate sinking of the ship. This saw another sea of viewers flocking to the theaters to relive the story all over again, this time in bigger visual glory.
The film also starred accomplished British star Bernard Hill who played Captain Edward John Smith. Hill who recently passed away, is also known for his role as King Théoden of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and as Youssef Hughes in the critically acclaimed TV drama Boys from the Blackstuff.
Ahead of the re-release of the drama in 2012, the thespian appeared at the Norwich Film Festival and spoke about many aspects of his career including his stint on Cameron’s blockbuster. He confessed that no one including him was fully convinced that the movie would go on to become such a mega blockbuster.
Rare Picture of Leonardo DiCaprio and Monica Bellucci Before His Titanic Fame Will Make You Feel Old
He also expressed his shock at the reactions of fans who had watched the film a record number of times, and made a joking and lighthearted observation on what he thought of this die-hard obsession with the story.
“I remember meeting up with some of the cast afterwards and discussed times people had seen it – 25, 40 times in the theatre and I met this one kid who had seen it 80 times. I remember saying you need to get a life kid, there is more to life than watching Titanic.”
Reacting to the film being re-released in 3D format, Hill stated that Cameron was a frontrunner in this aspect and had started working on this technology many years before his contemporaries. So it was just a matter of time before he brought his vision to the fore.
Leonardo DiCaprio Almost Lost Out On Playing Jack In Titanic
James Cameron’s Titanic is one of the most successful films of all time, earning 11 out of 14 Oscars at the Academy Awards in 1998. The film won great acclaim not just for Cameron’s mastery behind the lens, but also for the timeless chemistry between its two lead actors, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
But Cameron revealed some intriguing facts about his leading man, whom he almost did not cast due to DiCaprio’s negativity during auditions. The director stated that the actor refused to read lines that were given to him saying that he wasn’t in the habit of reading for his roles.
The Terminator director who was thrown off by this attitude, decided to bluntly initiate DiCaprio into the workings of his mind. In a chat with GQ, the Oscar winner elaborated on what went down and how he turned The Revenant star around.
“‘Oh, yeah. Come on. This is, like, a giant movie that’s gonna take two years of my life so I’m not gonna f**k it up by making the wrong decision in casting. So you’re gonna read, or you’re not gonna get the part.’”
DiCaprio was then quick to understand what was expected of him, and jumped on board by seamlessly transforming into his character Jack. The result is now there permanently for everyone to see.
Titanic is streaming on Amazon Prime.
