'Titanic' became in the end of the century in the highest grossing film in history after managing to stay on the American chart for 16 consecutive weeks. The feature film directed by James Cameron is currently the second highest grossing film in history with $2,186.8 million. A figure that does not manage to surpass the tape with more collection of all the time, since 'Avatar' is placed in the first position with 2,788 million dollars.
However, Cameron's success has had a few bumps along the way. Recently, the director of 'Aliens' has brought to light some statements that explain the tortuous process that the film underwent starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet until its premiere in theaters. Thanks to the letter written by Stephen Galloway, a journalist for The Hollywood Reporter, on the occasion of the publication of the biography of Sherry Lansing, we have known the role that the CEO of Paramount in the process of making the film. In the publication, Cameron dedicates some beautiful, and extensive, words towards which was the saving table of the romantic film of Jack and Rose. The story of the director of 'The Terminator' begins by explaining that 20th Century Fox executive Peter Chernin told him that another production company would have to intervene in the production process of 'Titanic'. The company did not want to take care of the 100 million dollars from which the film started (finally the budget of 'Titanic' reached 200 million). To do this, Fox established the pursuit of an adventure partner Casey Silver of Universal rejected, but Sherry Lansing of Paramount saw in Cameron's work a feasible opportunity. "I had a brief call with Sherry where he was very positive about the power of the script," says the filmmaker". Cameron adds that, "She was always the creative interface between us and Paramount, staying really positive towards the movie."
Lansing fully relied on Cameron's work, which began production in late July 1996, but it would be later when the film would take an unexpected turn. At the moment when the tragic history of the passengers of the Titanic settled a first date of release for July of 1997 was everything everything went to the bottom. This is when Cameron asserts that "Paramount's bosses began to act as if they had been diagnosed with terminal cancer... Everyone thought they were going to lose money and all efforts were simply to make sure the bleeding was not fatal." Finished filming, in the late spring of 1997, Cameron points out that the post-production process was not completely finished, making it difficult to release a few months later. The length of the footage and the previously unseen special effects made Cameron think that 'Titanic' could not be released as planned.
To the complicated editing process that was reduced each day, the press did not help. Cameron said: "We were also being ruthlessly beaten by the press, especially the written media, about budget, security, release dates and just about everything. We were the biggest losers in Hollywood history and the press had its knives aloft." Later, Cameron states that "I projected the film for Sherry on an Avid monitor at my house... She had a very emotional reaction. She told me that she thought it was a fantastic love story, in the line of ' Which the wind took away." The American director also says that while finishing the film in his head was only the idea that Lansing had liked his new film. However, the pressure continued to stir in the life of the director, and it is here when Cameron states that "I assumed at this time that I would never work again." A few words hard enough if we count that 'Titanic' has not been his great success, but 'Avatar' still far exceeded.
Cameron then goes on to describe how 'Titanic' had to be further reduced in editing and the difficulties that arose in November 1997, when the essence of the film of 3 hours and 15 minutes had to be squeezed in 30 seconds for its spots in TV.
Approaching the release date in the US, which finally took place on 19 December 1997, the press continued to emphasize the possible failure of 'Titanic'. Therefore, Cameron reports that there were two premieres outside of America where "there was no jurisdiction." One of them took place at the Tokyo International Film Festival where the reception of the audience was unexpectedly positive. On the other hand, London hosted the second presentation of the film in Leicester Square for Prince Charles. Nevertheless, the criticisms were again positive, which made rethink to the American press the prejudices that had around of 'Titanic'. Cameron says that "this strategy was made despite Paramount's refusal, but with the full support of Fox, especially Tom Sherak and Jim Gianopulos."
And so... What happened?
Cameron's letter concludes with a full thank-you to the woman who stood at the foot of the canyon throughout the entire 'Titanic' process. The director confesses that "despite this unpleasant period, Sherry continued to firmly support the film... We launched an effective campaign that achieved the number one of the film in its first weekend of release, surpassing 'Tomorrow Never Dies' in a small percentage." Success, success and more success. The long process that took 'Titanic' to its premiere only half a year late, almost destroyed the career, and life, by James Cameron, but of course what is clear is that what has not killed him has done stronger.