There have been many instances when a Hollywood star came so close to starring in projects that would go on to make history in cinema. The Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey also went through something similar after he auditioned for James Cameron’s 1997 romantic drama Titanic. He was one of the actors who were considered for the role of Jack before Leonardo DiCaprio officially landed the role.

Matthew McConaughey at an event

Matthew McConaughey Almost Starred in Titanic
Matthew McConaughey had his big break alongside Sandra Bullock in the 1996 movie A Time to Kill. The thriller drama helped the actor to establish the actor as a headliner in Hollywood. And the actor has shared that he was also in line to play one of the iconic roles in Hollywood.

Matthew McConaughey with Sandra Bullock

During his appearance on Literally! with Rob Lowe, McConaughey shared that he was one of the final contenders to play Jack Dawson in James Cameron’s romantic drama Titanic. He shared that he did a screentest with Kate Winslet and he believed that he would get the part.

“So I went and read with Kate Winslet and it was not one of the auditions,” he said before adding, “That went great.’ I mean, kind of, like, hugs. I really thought it was going to happen. It did not.” He shared that he lost the part to Leonardo DiCaprio, who went on to star in Titanic as Jack Dawson.Matthew McConaughey Was Never Offered a Part in Titanic
While talking to Rob Lowe, Matthew McConaughey also revealed that he was never offered the role of Jack Dawson in the 1997 movie. He said that the rumors claiming that he turned down the offer for Titanic were false. The actor even questioned the director of the film James Cameron regarding the same.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic (1997)

“Not factual. I did not get offered that role,” he recalled. The Interstellar star said that he also started looking for the agent who started the rumor. “For a while, I was saying, ‘I gotta find that agent. They’re in trouble,’” McConaughey joked.

While he did not land the leading role opposite Kate Winslet, he did have a screen test with her. And the Oscar-winning actress said that The Gentlemen actor was the studio’s top choice for the role of Jack, as she recalled her audition with him.

Kate Winslet as Rose

She said that the audition was fantastic, but they did not have the “whole Jack and Rose” thing. Titanic became the highest-grossing movie at the time and was also highly praised by critics and the audience. As of now, Titanic is the fourth highest-grossing movie, with a worldwide collection of $2.2 million at the box office.