James Cameron says Leonardo DiCaprio almost lost 'Titanic' role during audition - Page Six

James Cameron almost didn’t cast Leonardo DiCaprio to play Jack Dawson in “Titanic,” claiming the actor showed up to the audition with a diva-like attitude.

“And I said, ‘Alright, let’s see what your chemistry’s like with Kate.'”.

According to the filmmaker, DiCaprio — who was 22 when the movie hit theaters — thought that meant “another meeting to meet Kate.” But in fact, Cameron had called him in to record the two reading lines together.

“And he said, ‘You mean I’m reading?’ And I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘Oh, I don’t read,'” Cameron claimed, adding that his response was to shake the now-41-year-old actor’s hand and thank him “for coming by.”.

“And I said, ‘Oh, yeah

So you’re gonna read, or you’re not gonna get the part.'”

According to Cameron, DiCaprio huffed and puffed but agreed to read with Winslet — begrudgingly

Cameron said DiCaprio immediately “turned into Jack.”