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'Titanic' survives $200 million shake-down cruise
Cameron
In this story:
December 17, 1997
Web posted at: 11:47 p.m. EST (0447 GMT)From Correspondent Cynthia Tornquist
NEW YORK (CNN) -- As perhaps befits its name, the voyage of James Cameron's epic film "Titanic" to the big screen has not been a smooth one.
"There was a tremendous amount of pressure while we were making this film," he says. "It got to a level where it was really hard to concentrate and hard to focus (because) there was so much media scrutiny."
The film, which opens Friday, reportedly was budgeted at about $110 million, but doubled when filming ran over schedule. Special effects and the construction of a replica of the ship that was nearly full-sized pushed the price tag still higher.
"By the time the dust settled -- which was about $200 million to make the picture -- I think that's when people started to get really nervous," Cameron said. "Myself included."
CNN's Cynthia Tornquist reports
Some industry sources say the film must earn at least $325 million worldwide for 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures to recoup their investments. But at least one executive is confident that there will be no trouble filling theater seats.
Cameron waived his salary
"It is an extraordinary human event and we all felt basically that there is a hunger from the audience for cinema on a grand scale that's also about profound human stories," says Tom Rothman, president of 20th Century Fox.
Cameron waived his salary for producing and directing the film, although he held on to his fee for writing the screenplay.
A scene from the movie 'Titanic' 3.7MB/45 sec./240x180
1.8MB/00 sec./160x120
QuickTime movieAsked if he thinks "Titanic" will pay off, Cameron said, "It's a gamble, but any film is a gamble. We just happen to be a very big film and we're getting a lot of scrutiny. I think we all wonder. There's always that hand-wringing and angst to see whether you've been accepted or embraced by the public, and sometimes you are and sometimes you aren't."
The picture's success rides largely on the reputation of its director, whose credits include the Terminator films, "Aliens," "The Abyss," and "True Lies."
Titanic replica
The film's crew constructed a nearly full-sized, 775-foot replica of the ship, along with a 17-million gallon tank in which to sink it. The film's star says they tried to make it as realistic as possible without going overboard.
Will history repeat itself?
"At no time did I feel my life was truly in danger," says Leonardo DiCaprio. "Jim was so concerned about safety 100 percent of the time."
Eighty-five years ago, the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. Cameron and crew hope history doesn't repeat itself.
Related stories:
- Exhibit displays smorgasbord of Titanic's elegance - May 27, 1997
- 'Titanic' director takes on his critics - December 14, 1997
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