Just saw Entertainment channel's weekly news show. Kathy Bates apparently was the 3rd choice for Molly Brown. Linda Hamilton (Cameron's wife) was one choice, I forget who was the other. Leo also wasn't first choice for Jack. There was some guy (who I never heard of) who turned down the role because among other reasons he didn't want to be a "star," but an "actor." Believe Leo felt similarly, though he took it of course. Anyway, all this info will come out in some lady's book called Titanic and the Making of James Cameron. Sorry for the scant info; it's probably posted on the Web (eonline.com and Mr. Showbiz). Please "fill in my blanks" below if you can!

-- Bob Gregorio (rgregorio@ibm.net), April 19, 1998

Answers

Just remembered, one of the Judds was the 2nd choice for Molly Brown.

-- BobG (rgregorio@ibm.net), April 19, 1998.

Bob-

I saw E! News Weekend, too...here are the "blanks" you wanted filled in: Country singer Reba McIntire (I know I probably spelled it wrong) was considered for the role of Molly Brown, as was Linda Hamilton. Billy Crudup (from Sleepers and Inventing the Abbots) was Cameron's first choice for Jack Dawson. Also, the name of the author of the upcoming book "Titanic and the Making of James Cameron" is Paula Parisi. Hope I helped!

Melissa

-- Melissa (mfreed@rollins.edu), April 20, 1998.

Thanks, Melissa. Judd..McIntyre..both country singers...understandable mix-up..NOT!!

-- BobG (rgregorio@ibm.net), April 20, 1998.

This is going to sound sooooo I've-never-had-an-acting-class-in-my life-ish, but after seeing Linda Hamilton in the Terminator flicks, it's hard for me to imagine her as Molly Brown! You gotta wonder what Cameron was thinking. Kathy Bates was perfect. However...perhaps Mr. Cameron wouldn't have left his wife for the chick who played "Lizzie Calvert" if she had taken the role, now would he? Hmmmm...strange things are afoot at the Circle K (anyone remember Bill & Ted?)...

-- Gilded Age Junkie (GildedAgeJunkie@yahoo.com), August 08, 1998.

Creating a credible looking Molly Brown from Linda Hamilton would have blown the make-up and special effects budget. Not to mention that it may have earned Cameron the "Kate Capshaw Directorial Nepotism Award".

-- Dan Dalton (foo@bar.com), August 09, 1998.

Laughing out loud, Dan...but did you see the TV movie "Titanic"? Merilou Henner played Molly. DOUBLE YUCK. Can't stand her anyway, and she hollered every dang line and did so in the worst "country" accent I've ever heard. Who talks like that in Denver? In ANY time period, I ask you???

-- Gilded Age Junkie (GildedAgeJunkie@yahoo.com), August 09, 1998.

Dear God, how on Earth could anyone consider casting Linda Hamilton as Molly Brown? I'm glad they chose Kathy Bates because she really is a great actress and she looks just like the real Molly Brown. I wish they'd given her a bigger part though, or they put some more of her clips in the Director's Edition.

-- Emma (foo@bar.com.au), August 09, 1998.

I can't imagine anyone other than Kathy Bates as Molly--she was fantastic!

-- Nonnie Parker (x96smock@wmich.edu), April 16, 1999.