A new memoir from the late Titanic producer Jon Landau reveals how Matthew McConaughey came close to playing Jack Dawson—until one brief exchange shut the door and cleared the path for Leonardo DiCaprio.

Landau recounts that McConaughey read opposite Kate Winslet to test chemistry, and she was drawn to his charm and presence during the session. McConaughey performed the scene in his Texas drawl, prompting director James Cameron to ask him to try it another way. According to the memoir, McConaughey replied, “No. That was pretty good. Thanks,” a refusal that effectively ended his chances at the part.

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Cameron wasn’t sold on a Southern accent for Jack, who was written as an orphaned artist from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and flexibility in the room carried real weight in the decision. After the pushback, Cameron moved on, and DiCaprio emerged as the choice for Jack. Titanic went on to win 11 Oscars and rank among the highest-grossing films ever, turning the role into a cultural landmark.

What McConaughey and Winslet have said

McConaughey has said he wanted the role, felt his time reading with Winslet went well, and was never offered the part, pushing back on rumors that he turned it down. Coverage of Landau’s account also notes how strongly Winslet responded to McConaughey’s presence during the read, highlighting their palpable chemistry and how a different pairing could have shifted the film’s dynamic.

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How DiCaprio sealed it

DiCaprio wasn’t a sure thing at first, as Cameron has said he initially resisted reading lines with Winslet before the director insisted on a screen test. Once the camera rolled, DiCaprio’s performance clicked, and he transformed into Jack, locking in the casting on the spot. The result became career-defining. DiCaprio’s Jack Dawson turned iconic, and the film’s sweeping awards haul sealed its legacy.