Ethan Hawke opens up about losing 'Titanic' role to Leonardo DiCaprio

Ethan Hawke recently admitted he lost the role of Jack Dawson in the 1997 film, Titanic, to Leonardo DiCaprio.

In a conversation with British GQ, the 54-year-old actor revealed that he auditioned for the role, but it eventually went to DiCaprio.

He said he was glad the producers decided to choose the 50-year-old star since he couldn’t handle the stardom the role came with.

Hawke added, “I don't think I would have handled that success as well as Leo. He was a f---ing Beatle.”

Notably, the Dead Poets Society lead was already paving his way into Hollywood before DiCaprio rose as an actor. Hawke starred in Before Sunrise and Reality Bites, the former receiving an Academy nomination in 1995.

As per the above-mentioned outlet, the actor spent most of his early career diversifying his talent into penning books and directing several films like Chelsea Walls and The Hottest State.

Meanwhile, DiCaprio found himself in the limelight after Titanic, getting booked for several award-winning movies like Catch Me If You Can and Blood Diamond.

On the personal front, Hawke has been married to Ryan Hawke since 2008; they share two children, Clementine and Jake. Previously, the author tied the knot with Uma Thurman in 1998 before divorcing in 2005.

The couple had two children, Maya and Levon, both of whom followed in the footsteps of their parents into acting.

How many books has Ethan Hawke authored?

Ethan Hawke has written 11 fictional novels, like The Hottest State, which he turned into a film, and Ash Wednesday. 

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