It was the biggest grossing movie of the 1990s by a long way, was nominated for 14 Oscars and won 11, and catapulted lead actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet to international stardom.
But DiCaprio, who played orphan Jack Dawson, admitted that he initially had doubts about whether the role was right for him and Claire Danes, who auditioned for the role of Jack’s love interest Rose DeWitt Bukater, decided to turn the part down – even though the production team’s casting crew thought she was perfect for it.
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Claire Danes wasn’t ready go off into the stratosphere with Titanic
When Danes turned down the Titanic, despite being case in the role, the part of Rose went to 19-year-old Kate Winslet. “Kate told me how much she loved the role and believed she could do it,” Cameron remembered. “She sent me a rose, with a note, that basically said: ‘I’m ready’”.
Cameron found his lead but what about Claire Danes? How does she feel now about turning down a part in one of the highest grossing movies of all-time? Claire, who was only 17 at the time of her audition – two years younger than Winslet, says that she has no regrets about passing up on Titanic, as she confessed on the Howard Stern Show.
“It was going to shoot in Mexico City, where we had just filmed Romeo and Juliet, for another six months. I really needed another experience… ” she told Stern.
That piques the talk show host’s interest:“Take me into this… I’m thinking back, Titanic, that movie, it won all kinds of Academy Awards, it was one of the biggest blockbusters of all time. From a career standpoint, are you then saying ‘Oh my god, what did I do? This would have been huge, this would have put me on the map, it would really have solidified [my career].’”
A reflective Danes replies: “I remember when Leo was deciding to take that movie. He really wrestled with it. It was a profound choice, and really, the question was, do I want to go off into the stratosphere right now? And I think he decided that he did – and I think I decided that I didn’t!
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Stern asks: “You mean, when you read the script you realised it would be a game changer.”
Danes replies: “I think I wasn’t really ready to… I think I had a lot more developing to do as a person, I knew I wanted to go to college” she continued, adding that her choice wasn’t about the fame, the money or furthering her career.
Stern looks amazed: “That is an amazing thing, to say no to stuff like that. It’s something I’ve struggled with my whole career. It’s very hard for me to say no. There were things that were offered to me that I know would be big in my career and I feel like I have to grab them. I would think that a young actress would just say… the fame thing, the quote goes up, and the money.”
But Danes is convinced of her position: “If you’re not deeply aligned with that choice, it’s not going to serve you, it’s not going to benefit you”.
“That is very evolved,” says Stern.
“It’s just true,” concludes Danes.
Danes did not so bad in the end
Deciding against Titanic may well have turned out to be career suicide for Claire but luckily, she got her big break when the time was right. Her portrayal of Carrie Mathison in the drama TV series Homeland, earned her two Emmys and two Golden Globes. She also won awards for My So-Called Life and Temple Grandin. Her latest projects: The Beast in Me and The Applebaum Curse are due for release later this year.
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