James Cameron Made No Money From “Titanic” (1997)

Two days before “Titanic” hit theaters and broke box office records, director James Cameron sat down with Howard and told him why he forfeited his salary, backend points, and millions of dollars in order to make the film.

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[muffinman]

This feels like an FBI interrogation after an actor was murdered on set

[forestyforest]

Rapid firing those questions, just relax and give the guy a chance to talk.

[MonkeyFishStick]

"Gear head" is a massive, massive understatement. When he was a truck driver, he was a renowned mechanic. Everybody went to him to fix or upgrade their rigs. He co-designed the deepest diving compartment ever and broke the record for ocean depth of a human. No wonder someone like him came up with a story about A.I. and Terminators and such. He's clearly a literal genius.

[Alanviberson]

I love how he’s able to keep up with Howard’s quick witted joked as well as staying humble and joking about his own career

[richardfilanderer]

This interview took place on the film’s opening week so none of them had absolutely any idea how big of a hit it was going to be because the box office numbers were pretty standard for the time. Titanic didn’t make its money with one huge weekend like movies do today. The more weeks passed the more people started watching the movie even more than the first week. It’s rare for a movie to do that so I found it interested.

[Fantabiscuit]

James has some serious serious quiet confidence

[Cornwall]

He’s worth $700m now so no need to worry, he’s not on the street selling pencils

[stevenspenneberg]

“I gave him a role where he got to keep his clothes on. “. The very first moment you see Arnold in Terminator, he is naked.

[TabsT-vyjy]

How many questions can you answer in under 5 minutes. 3.2.1.go.

[MrParkerman]

"All you gotta do is stand there and say "I'm the director"."

-James Cameron on Film Directing.

[trav-c]

Never seen a James Cameron interview and I wasn't disappointed

[Zuzu]

Man Stern is rapid firing those Questions on him... slow it down with the Q’s!

[teamyordle]

Wow, so basically James Cameron drove to the USC library from Orange County on the weekends when he wasn't working as a truck driver, xeroxed textbooks on the art and practice of filmmaking for only $120 to start learn how to become a film director at the age of 24?

This video is inspiring me to go do something with myself.

[Rob-dpvr]

I'm suddenly interested in the guy.
Didn't know he went from nobody truck driver to director.

[mr.vincentvega]

He worked out a huge compensation deal with Fox in early 1998, ultimately earning him $115, 000, 000 for Titanic alone.

[AlbertV]

After this interview, the movie made over $2 billion worldwide (first film in history to do that), won 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Cameron disappeared from Hollywood. A year after the film was released, while he didn't give up his screenwriting fee, the studio gave him back the money that he relinquished during filming which involved his director and producer fee also box office profits but the paycheck was a hell of a lot bigger. I mean a lot due the film's astronomical and unbelievable box office success. Titanic defied reality and changed the film industry forever. Rumors were going around 1997/1999 that he retired from filmmaking and that he didn't have to work another day in his life after the film's massive success.

[actuallyilyts]

This interview is before the film hit the theatres and made almost 2 billion dollars

[AccuracySpeaks]

I've always been fascinated with what James Cameron has done in terms of film making and with technology and science, but to learn of his beginnings and DIY approach to learning, I have an entirely new level of respect for the man! It just goes to show a piece of paper does not dictate success nor does it indicate true intelligence.

[lukasmaks]

"Was it a 'Jaws' ripoff?"
"Yeah, absolutely."
Spoken like a true BOSS.

[benzykaram]

Howard Stern shooting questions like a terminator.