It's been a quarter of a century since the release of "Titanic," and now as James Cameron and Kate Winslet reunite for the sequel to "Avatar," the acclaimed director has publicly recognized the challenges Winslet endured during the filming of one of cinema's highest-grossing films. In hindsight, the director admits it was far from a walk in the park.
When Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet agreed to be the leading duo of "Titanic," no one foresaw the incredible heights this film would take them to on the international stage. Both relatively new and young in the industry, they embarked on an unforgettable journey under the watchful eye of director James Cameron. It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. DiCaprio's initial reluctance to read the script led to a falling out with Cameron, who threatened to replace him. DiCaprio, at the tender age of 21, eventually conceded, becoming the iconic Jack Dawson.
Kate Winslet, just 20 years old at the time, turned 21 during filming. It wasn't an easy ride, primarily due to the exacting standards of director James Cameron. She was even quoted saying, "He has a temper you wouldn't believe." But the film became a cinematic phenomenon, ultimately breaking box office records and making history.
At the time, Kate Winslet quipped to The Guardian, "They'd have to pay me a lot of money to work with Jim again." It appears that this did indeed come to pass. Kate Winslet found herself working alongside James Cameron once more in "Avatar: The Sense of Water," the sequel to the only film that managed to surpass "Titanic" in box office earnings, the 2009 hit, "Avatar."
The tension that loomed between them 25 years ago seems to have mellowed over time. Winslet transformed her initial complaint into a gesture of empathy and understanding. In her own words, "Jim is much calmer now. I can't imagine the pressure he was under on the set of 'Titanic,' with all the discussions surrounding the movie. As we get older, we learn to say, 'I made a mistake.' We all get better at that, don't we?"
On the other hand, James Cameron candidly acknowledged that during the "Titanic" production, Kate Winslet endured the grueling demands of the filming process, frequent schedule changes, and a relentless work pace. He told Radio Times, "Kate came away from 'Titanic' a little traumatized by the scale of the production and her responsibility within it."
James Cameron's robust career and his collaboration with numerous famous personalities earned him a reputation as a 'dictator,' a label he did not shy away from. He even justified this stance by acknowledging his unwavering demands. "I'm demanding and demanding of my work team. As far as being a bit of a dictator, I think there's an element of that when you have to deal with thousands of extras and huge logistics and also keep people safe. I think you have to have a strict methodology when dealing with many people," he stated back in 2007.
Although the passage of time appears to have healed the old wounds, Kate Winslet's testimonial from 1997, given to the Los Angeles Times, still resonates as a powerful reminder of the grueling nature of "Titanic" filming. It was a shoot that left her "cold, scared, and exhausted," with days starting at 5 AM and lasting until 1 AM, often stretching to 20-hour shoots. The actress spoke of disorienting meal times and her need to catch sleep during the day while keeping her eyes shielded from the light. It's a testament to the dedication required to create a cinematic masterpiece, a billion-dollar box office juggernaut that would be celebrated for decades to come.
