Surprising Facts About the Making of ‘Titanic’
In honor of the re-release of 'Titanic,' Yahoo! Shine dug deep to salvage the craziest facts about the making of James Cameron's blockbuster. Did you know that:
Leonardo DiCaprio's pet lizard, Blizz, was injured on set, but the star nursed it back to health.
Director James Cameron initially wanted Gwyneth Paltrow to play the role of Rose DeWitt Bukater. Claire Danes and Nicole Kidman were also considered.
Paramount Pictures wanted Matthew McConaughey for the role of Jack Dawson, but Cameron insisted on Leonardo DiCaprio. Dicaprio almost bowed out in order to play the lead 'Boogie Nights,' a film about the adult film industry in the 1970s.
After finding out that she had to would have to be naked in front of Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet flashed her co-star when they first met.
The very first scene that Winslet and DiCaprio shot together was when Jack draws Rose's nude portrait. Cameron wanted to capitalize on his young actors' nervous energy.
Cameron himself drew the nude sketch of Rose and his hands are featured on-screen. The drawing was later sold at an auction for $16,000.
Gloria Stuart was the oldest actor ever to receive an Oscar nomination for her role as the elderly Rose. At 87, she was also the only person on the set who was actually alive at the time of the real disaster.
The new age-y singer Enya turned down the opportunity to score the film. The job was given composer Jack Horner instead. The movie's theme song "My Heart Will Go On" was the first time a song from a non-musical grabbed an Oscar.
Country singer Reba McEntire was slated to play Molly Brown. When the shoot ran over schedule, the role then went to Kathy Bates.
During the filming of the sinking of the ship, Kate Winslet was the only cast who went without a wet suit underneath her dress. As a result, she contracted pneumonia.
All 150 extras were trained in early 20 th Century etiquette and mannerisms. An educational video ran on a constant loop in the dressing room.
Real Beluga caviar was served in the first class dining room sequence.
When the film ran over budget, Cameron forfeited his $8 million director's fee.
After the final night of shooting in Novia Scotia, someone spiked the cast and crew's chowder with the drug PCP (angel dust). Eighty people became sick and many were hospitalized.
When Rose looks into the sky while she's waiting for a rescue boat, the stars form the shape of the "Heart of the Ocean" necklace.
In 2010, Cameron said he the real reason he wanted to make the movie was so he could film wreckage of the actual Titanic.
'Titanic' 3D will hit theaters April 4, 2012.
Also on Shine:
Kate Winslet, Rachel Weisz, Emma Thompson Form Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League
