Updated August 18, 2023 6.3K votes 1.2K voters 1.4M views
Over 1.2K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Weird But True Behind-The-Scenes Stories From The Set Of 'Titanic'
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Vote up the best stories from the set of ‘Titanic’ that make you love the movie even more.
On occasion, legendary stories come from the filming of epic movies. Take Titanic, for example. Given the fact it's one of the highest-grossing, most critically acclaimed films of all time, it's hardly surprising there is an abundance of behind-the-scenes stories from Titanic - many of these tales are dark or downright weird.
Helmed by writer and director James Cameron, the pitch for Titanic was initially Romeo and Juliet set on a sinking ship. However, 20th Century Fox was hesitant yet eager to develop a working relationship with Cameron; they agreed to co-finance the film. Titanic started production in 1996 with a budget of $200 million.
All the studio support and seemingly endless cash flow couldn't prevent crazy things from occurring behind the scenes, and the lore behind the filming of Titanic is almost as entertaining as the movie itself.
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890 VOTES
James Cameron Drew The Artwork In Jack's Sketchbook
When you watch Jack sketching Rose, you aren't watching Leo DiCaprio's hands, but director James Cameron's. He did all of the artwork in Jack's sketchbook. In his early years in the movie industry, Cameron worked as an art director and production designer, so drawing was in his wheelhouse. His portrait of a nude Winslet from Titanic sold for £10,000 in 2011.
890 votes
2
670 VOTES
A Section Of Wood Paneling From The 'Titanic' - Like The One That Saved Rose - Still Exists
One of the most indelible scenes from the movie involves Rose and Jack floating in the ocean, waiting for rescue. They find a piece of wood paneling, and Jack insists Rose use it to stay afloat. There's a similar piece of wood paneling salvaged from the real wreckage; it's in a museum, where it reportedly inspired Cameron.
According to the magazine Grazia, "Cameron regularly visited the museum when researching for the Oscar-winning film, which led him to use a similar piece of wood to stage Jack and Rose's emotional final moment." As an aside, there was enough room on the board for both characters.
670 votes
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546 VOTES
Kate Winslet Hounded James Cameron For The Role Of Rose
Kate Winslet really wanted the Rose role. Sensing what a major movie event Titanic would become, Winslet hounded James Cameron until he finally hired her. "You don’t understand! I am Rose!" she told him. "I don't know why you’re even seeing anyone else!"
She didn't audition, however - presumably, her persistence was enough to get her a screen test to seal the deal.
546 votes
4
683 VOTES
Leo DiCaprio Ad-Libbed The Whole 'King Of The World' Moment
When Leo DiCaprio stands at the bow of the ship, arms triumphantly outstretched, proclaiming he is "king of the world," it's an enduringly magical movie moment. But DiCaprio's most famous line wasn't in the script at all - he completely improvised it.
Cameron would later reuse the line a bit more self-serving in his Oscar acceptance speech for his directing.
683 votes
5
687 VOTES
Kate Winslet Flashed Leo DiCaprio The First Time They Met
The formative scene of Jack drawing Rose "like one of his French girls" was among the first scenes shot for Titanic. To break the ice, Kate Winslet allegedly flashed Leo DiCaprio. It was reportedly the first time the two had met.
687 votes
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540 VOTES
The Actors Had Access To Hot Tubs Because The Set Was Freezing
Given the icy Pacific waters used for filming, the actors spent most of their time miserable from the cold. The producers made hot tubs readily available on the set for actors to warm up. And with every moment of an epic like Titanic requiring meticulous planning and intricate shooting, there was substantial downtime for reheating in the bubbles.
