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At least 50 actors and crew members of Titanic had to be urgently hospitalized after a terrifying meal.
The film Titanic has made its mark in Hollywood history as a monumental blockbuster, weaving a touching love story amidst the catastrophic sinking of the ship. With its elaborate production process, the backstage of Titanic continues to surprise viewers with many long-hidden secrets.
Apart from recreating the colossal Titanic model and filming underwater scenes, the most unforgettable memory for the Titanic crew was the fateful dinner on August 9, 1996. Immediately after indulging in the luxurious buffet feast, about 50 members on set (including director James Cameron) had to be rushed to the hospital. All due to a sinister seafood dish that left many horrified.
At that time, the film crew consumed lobster, so everyone initially thought they had food poisoning. However, analysis from the hospital revealed a different cause, sparking chilling suspicions on the Titanic set.
After carefully examining the food samples, doctors confirmed that the patients were not suffering from food poisoning, but rather had ingested a stimulant. Everyone who ate that day had been poisoned with Phencyclidine, commonly known as “angel dust” or PCP, a potent hallucinogen listed as a controlled substance.
Actor Bill Paxton, known for his role as Brock Lovett, also ended up in the hospital after dinner. According to Entertainment Weekly, Paxton initially planned to dine alone. However, at the last minute, he joined director James Cameron for lobster.
Paxton vividly described the chaotic scene of that day, with everyone hastily discarding their food and bursting into tears within 15 minutes. He recalled, “One minute after eating, I felt fine. The next minute, it felt like my nerves were all on edge, and I was hyperventilating into a paper bag. James Cameron felt the same way.”
Unfortunately, the Titanic film crew has no intention of tracking down the culprit behind the poisoning incident. No one knows the perpetrator's identity, motives, or whether it was simply a mishap during food preparation.
In an article by Vanity Fair, director James Cameron affirmed his knowledge of the culprit but has chosen not to mention it. He believes the individual will suffer severe psychological consequences and hopes to draw an important lesson.
In a rare disclosure to Vanity Fair, James Cameron revealed: “We had dismissed a crew member the previous day for causing trouble with the catering team. Therefore, it's likely that this 'fool' orchestrated the poisoning as revenge against the kitchen. Ultimately, he just wanted them to lose their jobs.”
Image Source: Compilation
