Washington DC, Sept. 2 -- Actor and writer Ethan Hawke is glad that he lost the lead role in the 1997 film 'Titanic', which finally went to Leonardo DiCaprio, reported People.

"I don't think I would have handled that success as well as Leo," said Hawke.

DiCaprio portrayed Jack Dawson in James Cameron's 1997 historical epic about the 1912 sinking of the Titanic. He starred opposite Kate Winslet. After being part of the film, he reached new heights, paving the way for him to be associated with 2002's Catch Me If You Can, 2004's The Aviator, and 2006's Blood Diamond, the latter two for which he was nominated for an Oscar, as per the outlet.

Hawke had already starred in 'Dead Poets Society', 'Reality Bites', and 'Before Sunrise' prior to t...