One of Leonardo DiCaprio's Most Iconic Lines of All Time Almost Didn't Happen

Published Dec 14, 2022

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2:00am

Paramount Pictures

Can you believe that it's been 25 years since Titanic first hit movie theaters? With 11 Oscars to its name, the timeless classic continues to win over countless fans, thanks in part to the sizzling chemistry between Jack and Rose and, of course, the iconic one-liners. But did you know that one of the most famous lines almost didn't make it into the movie?

Yep, that's right. But for the record, “I will never let go, Jack” and “Draw me like one of your French girls” were never on the chopping block, so don’t worry.

As it turns out, one of Titanic’s most quoted lines, “I’m king of the world!” shouted by Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jack Dawson, almost didn’t make it.

According to the film’s Oscar-winning director James Cameron, who spoke with BBC Radio 1’s Ali Plumb, DiCaprio was against the line, but was told to “f*cking sell it.” Thank God he listened.

“And we were losing the light, and we had tried this and tried that, and we’d tried this line and that line, and nothing was really working,” Cameron said. “And I was literally coming up snake eyes, and I was like, ‘I’ve got one for you, just say I’m the king of the world. And just spread your arms out wide and just be in the moment, and just love it and celebrate the moment,” the director continued.

“And he [DiCaprio] goes, ‘What?!’ I’m getting this over the walkie talkie, ‘What?!.’ Just say, ‘I’m the king of the world, and you have to sell it.’” Leo again questioned him, and Cameron said he told the then-23-year-old DiCaprio to “just f*cking sell it!”

Paramount Pictures

And that, ladies and gents, is how you make cinematic history.

OK, that, and "I'm flying."

Roberta Fiorito

Director, Branded Content + Cohost, Royally Obsessed Podcast

As Director of Branded Content at Gallery Media Group, Roberta helps oversee the ideation and execution of sponsored content and experiential campaigns across PureWow and ONE37pm, including PureWow’s 24 in ’24. She began her career in editorial nine years ago, and has written and edited countless articles on news, trends, fashion, beauty and the royal family. She’s also cohost of the Royally Obsessed podcast, named one of the best royals podcasts by The New York Times and Town & Country. She cowrote the book Royal Trivia: Your Guide to the Modern British Royal Family.

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