Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

James Cameron asked if he’d change anything about Titanic

‘I think I’ve learned over the years, artistically, don’t second guess yourself,’ Cameron said

Peony Hirwani
Thursday 02 February 2023 08:00 GMT
Comments
James Cameron debunks Titanic raft theory in documentary

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

James Cameron has said that he “wouldn’t change a frame” of his 1997 film Titanic.

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the hit film’s release, the multi-award-winning director said throughout his lengthy career he had learned not to “second guess yourself” and that, given the opportunity he would “probably make the same damn movie now”.

When asked whether he would change anything about the film, Cameron told the Press Assocation: “Why would I change a frame?

“We got 14 Academy Award nominations. We got 11 wins, we made more money than any movie in history. We continue to make a lot of money with it.

“I don’t think I’m any smarter now than I was then, (in fact) I’ve probably lost a few brain cells since then.”

He continued: “I think I’ve learned over the years, artistically, don’t second guess yourself.

“That’s a snapshot of who you were and what you thought and believed at that time. And what I find out looking back across all my films, and there aren’t that many. I haven’t changed that much.

“I still believe the same stuff I believed back then. If somebody were to, you know, plonk the book about Titanic on my desk and say ‘make that into a movie’, I’d probably make the same damn movie now that I made back then.”

The remastered version of Titanic is set to be released in theatres on 10 February.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in 'Titanic' in 1997
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in 'Titanic' in 1997 (Shutterstock)

Cameron said that he and producer Jon Landau had “nothing to prove” with the film’s second theatrical re-release, but that it was a “fun social experiment”.

“I feel like it’s all a bonus at this point. It’s all icing. So, you know, we’ve got nothing to prove. We’ve really got sort of nothing to say that hasn’t been said,” he said.

“I think of it as just a fun social experiment to see. You know, how much Titanic still means and in the zeitgeist - we know it meant a lot 10 years ago when we re-released it.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

“Is there still that kind of interest or have people moved on? Or does it still have that sort of meaning to them?”

Cameron’s latest blockbuster, Avatar: The Way Of Water has also earned multiple Oscar nominations this year, including the coveted Best Picture.

Read The Independent’s review of Titanic here.

Additional reporting from agencies

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in