For years, rumors swirled that Titanic almost had a very different Jack Dawson – Matthew McConaughey. Kate Winslet even auditioned with him and sparks definitely flew. But here’s the twist: Cameron insisted Leo was always his guy, while McConaughey claimed he was led to believe the role was his.

Matthew McConaughey in Tropic Thunder. | Paramount Pictures

So, what really happened? Did Hollywood’s biggest ship almost set sail with a different leading man?

Matthew McConaughey’s almost-Titanic moment: The role he thought he had Matthew McConaughey in The Wolf of Wall Street. | Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Matthew McConaughey thought he had the role of Jack Dawson in Titanic. He walked out of his audition with Kate Winslet feeling confident. The energy was all high-fives and back pats. McConaughey even called his agent, convinced it was happening. But then… nothing.

He shared,

The audition went really well – well enough that when I left,...