Tuesday May 27 8:22 PM EDT
Company Press Release
Source: Paramount Pictures
`Titanic' to be Released on December 19, 1997
HOLLYWOOD, May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Pictures will release ``Titanic'' in theaters across the U.S. and Canada on Friday, December 19, it was announced today by Robert G. Friedman, vice chairman of Paramount Pictures' Motion Picture Group.
One of the most anticipated films of the year, the Paramount Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox presentation is being distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Paramount and internationally by Fox. James Cameron wrote and directed this epic, action-packed romance set against the backdrop of the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. He also produces the film with Jon Landau. Rae Sanchini serves as executive producer.
``'Titanic,' even in its unfinished state, is spectacular,'' Mr. Friedman said. ``The decision to push was a difficult one which required us to compare the rising curve of compromises to the film against the descending curve of commercial gain in late summer. As both Paramount and Twentieth Century Fox believe strongly that the film can play well in any season, we elected to move out of an already crowded summer.''
James Cameron said: ``While my initial instinct was to stick with summer, as this project evolved I think we all became more and more confident that `Titanic' did not necessarily need the hysteria of the summer season to be a box-office success. And although it was not the deciding factor, I am personally looking forward to being able to screen my film in its finished form several months in advance of its release date, a luxury my past post production schedules have never afforded me. Finishing this film is the culmination of a five year dream for me, and I greatly appreciate this tremendous vote of confidence from both Paramount and Fox.''
Starring in the Lightstorm Entertainment production are Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Bernard Hill, Jonathan Hyde, Danny Nucci, David Warner and Bill Paxton. Hundreds of other actors and extras round out the cast of one of the most ambitious films ever made.
The renowned talent behind the camera includes director of photography Russell Carpenter, A.S.C.; production designer Peter Lamont; visual effects supervisor Rob Legato; editors Conrad Buff and Richard A. Harris; special effects coordinator Thomas L. Fisher; and composer James Horner, all of whom have worked with Mr. Cameron on previous films. Other talent includes the highly respected costume designer Deborah L. Scott (``Heat,'' ``Legends of the Fall'') and stunt coordinator Simon Crane (``Braveheart,'' ``GoldenEye'').
Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc. Twentieth Century Fox is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, A News Corporation Company.
SOURCE: Paramount Pictures
Contact: Blaise Noto, Senior Vice President, National Publicity for Paramount Pictures, 213-956-5824