James Cameron's Clever Casting Saved Titanic Millions

To celebrate the release of Titanic in 4K, director James Cameron has revealed some behind-the-scenes secrets, including the decision to only hire short extras. It's incredible how a cultural phenomenon like Titanic can continue to inspire new events of equal significance.

In 1912, the Titanic, the largest ship at the time, tragically lost 1,500 of its 2,224 passengers and crew when it struck an iceberg. This historical event became the inspiration for a 1997 film adaptation that grossed $2 billion worldwide. James Cameron, the director of the film, recently revealed some behind-the-scenes secrets during the promotion of the newly released 4K remaster. This includes how the film saved money by hiring specific extras.

20th Century Studios

Cameron hired short people to make Titanic feel larger

During his interview with the Los Angeles Times, Cameron immediately began revealing behind-the-scenes secrets, including how the production managed to save money. Titanic, costing $200 million, was the most expensive movie ever made at the time, surpassing the budget of 1994's True Lies.

Cameron and his team brainstormed creative ways to reduce expenses, successfully implementing seemingly simple methods.

"We only hired shorter extras, which made our set appear larger," Cameron revealed. "Anyone over 5'8" was not considered. It was as if we gained an extra million dollars' worth of value from our casting decisions."

Cameron remembered how he and producer Jon Landau reached a compromise with the studio, agreeing to abandon a three degree set piece in favor of two different sets. One set was level for pre-iceberg scenes and the other was tilted at six degrees to replicate the sinking of the ship. The seemingly simple deal actually saved them $750,000, according to Landau.

Explore the limited edition 4K remaster which includes special treats for fans such as sheet music for Celine Dion's theme song "My Heart Will Go On," replicas of boarding passes and ship menus, and notes exchanged between Rose, Cal, and Jack. For more of Dexerto's TV and movie coverage, click here.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of James Cameron's Titanic, I am thrilled to learn about the fascinating behind-the-scenes secrets revealed by the director on the occasion of the film's 4K release. The clever casting decision to hire only short extras not only added depth to the film's grandeur but also resulted in significant cost savings, demonstrating Cameron's ingenuity and resourcefulness as a filmmaker.

Cameron's attention to detail and commitment to authenticity are truly remarkable. By hiring shorter extras, he was able to create the illusion of a larger set, making the ship appear even more majestic and imposing. This clever trick not only enhanced the film's visual appeal but also saved a whopping million dollars, a testament to Cameron's ability to think outside the box and find creative solutions to production challenges.