AceShowbiz - Titanic remains one of the most iconic films in cinematic history, but one of its actors almost missed the chance to be part of this monumental project. During a recent appearance on the Still Here Hollywood Podcast with Steve Kmetko, Eric Braeden, who portrayed John Jacob Astor IV in the film, revealed that he was initially uninterested in the role and skeptical about working with director James Cameron.

Released in 1997, Titanic narrates the tragic love story between a struggling artist and a young aristocrat aboard the RMS Titanic’s doomed maiden voyage in 1912. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the lead roles, supported by a strong ensemble cast including Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, and Bill Paxton. The movie became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $2.2 billion worldwide and winning 11 Oscars out of 14 nominations.

Eric Braeden, best known for his long-running role on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, played the wealthy John Jacob Astor IV, who was the richest passenger on the ship. His character appears early in the film during a first-class dining scene where he questions Jack Dawson about his background, not knowing Jack’s true origins. Astor’s fate is sealed as he perishes during the sinking, with his final moments shown amid the flooding of the Grand Staircase.

Despite the significance of the role, Braeden admitted that he initially did not want to participate. He was unimpressed by the script and held reservations about collaborating with Cameron. He candidly stated, "I didn't want to do it. I said, 'I don't give a s*** about James Cameron. I don't know him.'"

Initially, Braeden even declined to audition, feeling the part was minor and not worth his time. However, his son, Christian Gudegast, who later became a filmmaker known for writing and directing the Den of Thieves movies, persuaded him to reconsider. Christian encouraged his father to meet with the director and at least explore the opportunity.

Following his son’s advice, Braeden attended a meeting at Warner Bros. with a casting director. Unfortunately, the experience was discouraging. He described the casting director as arrogant, recalling how he was kept waiting and questioned about his presence. Feeling disrespected, Braeden left the meeting and told his agency never to send him to such auditions again.

About a month later, Braeden received a call informing him that James Cameron personally wanted to meet him. This direct request changed his perspective. After researching the real John Jacob Astor IV, Braeden found the role more appealing and agreed to return for another audition. Surprisingly, the audition was brief—he only had to read a few lines. Braeden later speculated that the audition might have been unnecessary since Cameron was already a fan of his earlier work, specifically the 1970 sci-fi film Colossus: The Forbin Project.

With Cameron’s support, Braeden secured the role. Arrangements were made with the production of The Young and the Restless to accommodate his filming schedule, although some scenes were missed due to conflicts. The film’s cast also included Frances Fisher, Bernard Hill, Jonathan Hyde, Danny Nucci, and David Warner, among others.

Reflecting on his initial reluctance, Braeden expressed gratitude for taking the part. He now holds a deep respect for James Cameron, calling him a genius without hesitation. This admiration contrasts sharply with his earlier dismissal of the director and highlights the lasting impact of their collaboration on one of cinema’s biggest successes.

Before Titanic, Cameron had already established himself as a leading filmmaker with hits such as The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986), The Abyss (1989), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), and True Lies (1994). Nevertheless, the success of Titanic propelled his career to even greater heights.

Titanic earned $2.264 billion at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film ever at the time until Cameron surpassed it with Avatar in 2009, which grossed $2.924 billion. The film’s 14 Academy Award nominations tied a record, and its 11 wins included prestigious categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Editor for Cameron.

Ultimately, Braeden’s story is a reminder of the importance of keeping an open mind and never underestimating the vision of a filmmaker like James Cameron. His journey from doubt to admiration mirrors the experience of many who have worked with the director over the decades.

For those interested in revisiting this epic romance and disaster film, Titanic is currently available for streaming on Paramount+.