Ethan Hawke has shared that he feels relieved he did not secure the lead role in the 1997 film Titanic, which ultimately went to Leonardo DiCaprio. Hawke explained that he doubted his ability to handle the immense fame that followed the film’s release.
Reflecting on the Role of Jack Dawson and Career Choices
Before Titanic, Hawke gained recognition in the 1990s with performances in films like Dead Poets Society and Reality Bites. During auditions for the character Jack Dawson in James Cameron’s blockbuster, Hawke nearly landed the part but was passed over in favor of DiCaprio. In a recent interview with GQ, Hawke admitted he did not believe he could have managed the overwhelming success in the same way.
I don’t think I would have handled that success as well as Leo,
he said.
He was a fucking Beatle.
—Ethan Hawke
Hawke also discussed his deliberate avoidance of highly commercial films and celebrity endorsements, distancing himself from the traditional “movie star” label.
I never self-identified as a ‘movie star’. I was allergic to that,
he revealed.
Having a trademark by my name and making a million dollars – that wasn’t part of my dream.
—Ethan Hawke
Views on Awards and Industry Politics
Though Hawke entered the awards circuit in 2002 with an Oscar nomination for Supporting Actor in Training Day, he has been openly critical of the campaigning culture surrounding awards. He noted the transformation of the process following industry changes.
I didn’t campaign at all. Nobody took an ad out for me,
Hawke explained.
Now, it’s political in a way. We can thank Harvey Weinstein for turning it into a junket. The industry learned that you can make money off those awards, so they started investing.
—Ethan Hawke
Other Actors’ Attempts at the Role and Behind-the-Scenes Details
Several actors also auditioned for Jack Dawson, including Corey Feldman and Matthew McConaughey. According to producer Jon Landau’s memoir, McConaughey lost his chance due to not dropping his accent for the role. In addition, James Cameron revealed in 2022 that DiCaprio nearly missed out after initially refusing to do a screen test with Kate Winslet.
Upcoming Projects for Ethan Hawke
Hawke is set to appear in the sequel Black Phone 2, which recently released its first trailer in June, marking a new chapter in his diverse acting career.
