It has been 25 years since the release of James Cameron’s Titanic and the film continues to be a beloved classic that has captivated audiences around the world. The film tells the story of the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic and the forbidden love between Rose DeWitt Bukater (played by Kate Winslet) and Jack Dawson (played by Leonardo DiCaprio).
Cameron reflects on the moment he knew he had to make the film and how the idea of a love story set on the Titanic came to him. “Romeo and Juliet on that ship” is how he pitched the story to the studio, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Casting the film was no easy task. Cameron and his team scoured the industry for the perfect actors to bring the characters to life. When it came to casting Rose, Winslet’s name kept coming up, and after an old-fashioned screen test, there was no question in their minds that she was the perfect choice for the role.
Finding Jack was a bit trickier, but when DiCaprio walked in for his audition, he knocked it out of the park. The moment Cameron said “action“, DiCaprio became Jack, and both Cameron and Winslet were left in awe. Winslet recalls that once they started working together, they quickly found their rhythm and had great chemistry on and off-screen.
One of the reasons Titanic has stood the test of time is because of its timeless story. The cross-class love story between Rose and Jack is still relevant today, and audiences continue to be drawn to the characters and their journey.
Cameron believes in the theatrical experience and the power of cinema. He feels that there’s something special that happens in a theater and that the big-screen experience brings the film to life in a way that simply cannot be replicated at home.
Titanic will always be remembered as a classic love story that continues to captivate audiences 25 years later. Whether you are a longtime fan or seeing it for the first time, the film remains a must-see on the big screen.
In the words of Jack and Rose, “I’ll never let go.”
