For years, rumors swirled that Titanic almost had a very different Jack Dawson – Matthew McConaughey. Kate Winslet even auditioned with him and sparks definitely flew. But here’s the twist: Cameron insisted Leo was always his guy, while McConaughey claimed he was led to believe the role was his.
So, what really happened? Did Hollywood’s biggest ship almost set sail with a different leading man?
Matthew McConaughey’s almost-Titanic moment: The role he thought he had
Matthew McConaughey thought he had the role of Jack Dawson in Titanic. He walked out of his audition with Kate Winslet feeling confident. The energy was all high-fives and back pats. McConaughey even called his agent, convinced it was happening. But then… nothing.
He shared,
The audition went really well – well enough that when I left, I was being glad-handed and slapped on the back like, this is what we were looking for, you got it. Well enough that you get outside, call your agent, and go, Oh, I nailed it. This is happening. They were all happy too.
Years later, McConaughey heard a rumor: James Cameron had supposedly offered him the role, but he turned it down. He even confronted Cameron about it, but the truth remained murky. McConaughey clarified (via PEOPLE):
I asked [director James] Cameron about this, because the gossip over the years that I heard and would see written about me was that I had the role in Titanic and turned it down. Not factual. I did not get offered that role.
Winslet, on the other hand, confirmed McConaughey was a serious contender. She revealed in 2017 to PEOPLE:
I auditioned with Matthew, isn’t that weird? Never said that in public before. I auditioned with Matthew, which was completely fantastic. It just wouldn’t have been the whole ‘Jack and Rose, Kate and Leo’ thing.
The studio reportedly favored McConaughey, but Cameron had his heart set on Leonardo DiCaprio.
And McConaughey wasn’t the only one in the mix. Clueless star Jeremy Sisto also tested with Winslet – there’s even footage of them reading lines. Meanwhile, actresses like Uma Thurman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Winona Ryder were all considered for Rose before Winslet locked it down (per Today.com).
Ultimately, Titanic became a $2.19 billion box-office behemoth, cementing DiCaprio and Winslet as one of Hollywood’s most iconic screen couples. But McConaughey? He can’t help but wonder what could have been.
Matthew McConaughey teams up with Paul Greengrass for two thrilling films
Matthew McConaughey is back in action with not one but two Paul Greengrass films (via The Week).
The Interstellar star will lead The Rage, set during the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, and also star in The Lost Bus, based on the devastating 2018 Camp Fire.
Greengrass, known for The Bourne Ultimatum and United 93, teams up with Blumhouse Productions for The Rage. While McConaughey’s role remains under wraps, speculation points to him playing rebellion leader Wat Tyler.
Meanwhile, The Lost Bus has him driving children and a teacher to safety during California’s deadliest wildfire. The film, co-written by Greengrass and Brad Ingelsby, features America Ferrera and Yul Vazquez.
McConaughey, last seen in The Gentlemen, also has The Rivals of Amziah King lined up. For fans of gripping, real-life dramas, his return looks worth the wait.
Titanic is available to watch on Apple TV & Hulu.
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