From his modest start as a recurring figure on the 1990s sitcom, Parenthood, Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio has traversed an impressive journey. By the close of the 1990s, the previously lesser-known DiCaprio, who had once relied on Sharon Stone’s determination to secure a part in the reimagined western, The Quick and the Dead, had risen to prominence as one of Hollywood’s most coveted and financially successful actors.
DiCaprio’s rapidly growing fame started to influence his decision-making. This newfound confidence led him to the audacious move of declining to audition for James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster, Titanic, a film in which he eventually played the lead role. However, this diva-like behavior wasn’t confined to just this instance. His actions tested the patience of director James Cameron to the brink.
What Did Leonardo DiCaprio Do On Sets Of Titanic?
It’s safe to affirm that Leonardo DiCaprio discovered remarkably inventive methods to navigate his vexations. From orchestrating repulsive pranks on Kate Winslet to dousing director James Cameron with a bucket of ice, the celebrated actor employed extensive measures to ensure he wasn’t the sole participant in experiencing a less-than-enjoyable time on the set.
Nevertheless, there’s a possibility that DiCaprio might have pushed the boundaries a tad too much with a specific prank. According to a subsequent revelation by James Cameron, the Romeo and Juliet luminary adamantly declined to partake in underwater sequences for the film, going to significant extents to underscore his strong reluctance to get wet.
Surprisingly, after an extended period of diligently evading any water-related activities, DiCaprio astoundingly unveiled an unexpected revelation: he had been a certified scuba diver all along. This revelation left director James Cameron so taken aback that he found himself pondering rather unconventional methods of relieving his bewilderment.
“It turned out on the last day of shooting, we had to do an underwater scene, and he said, ‘I’m a certified scuba diver,'” Cameron revealed per NME. “I wanted to wring his neck. What was all this stuff with the cat and getting into water?”
However, DiCaprio’s diva-like disposition toward underwater scenes wasn’t the final chapter of his extraordinary antics.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Antics Did Not Stop There
Well beyond the grand unveiling of the blockbuster’s monumental presence on the big screen, James Cameron encountered renewed frustration owing to the renowned actor. On this occasion, DiCaprio’s striking absence at the 70th Academy Awards managed to stir the director’s vexation yet again.
James Cameron expressed his sentiment, indicating that he perceived DiCaprio’s absence as more than just a disregard for the film itself. According to Empire, Cameron believed that this absence undermined the efforts of everyone else who had poured their dedication and effort into the project.
“I felt that it was kind of a snub, not of the film per se, but of all the other people who did care and had sweated blood for the movie,” Cameron said, according to Empire. “So he didn’t go, and he looked like a spoiled punk. The message I got on my machine, like the day before was, ‘It just ain’t me, bro.'”
While Titanic became a huge film, both critically and financially, its behind-the-scenes drama still manages to amaze people. Titanic can be streamed on Prime Video.
Source: The Things
