(NewsNation) — Matthew McConaughey may have landed the lead role in “Titanic” if it weren’t for his refusal to forego one of his more recognizable traits.  

Jon Landau, a producer on the mega-hit film, revealed in his upcoming, posthumous memoir that McConaughey refused director James Cameron’s request to ditch his Southern accent for the role of Jack Dawson, according to the Daily Mail.  

According to a teaser for the book, obtained by the “What I’m Hearing” newsletters, McConaughey performed a scene with Kate Winslet in which the two reportedly had great chemistry. Landau wrote that “Kate was taken with Matthew, his presence and charm.”  

Landau said Cameron wanted McConaughey to perform the screen test “a different way,” but the actor reportedly declined, saying: “No. That was pretty good. Thanks.”  

“Let’s just say that was it for McConaughey,” Landau wrote.

Leonardo DiCaprio beat out Matthew McConaughey for ‘Titanic’ role

The role of Jack Dawson ultimately went to Leonardo DiCaprio, which launched him and Winslet to worldwide stardom.  

“Titanic” is one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, earning $2.2 billion and holding the top spot for more than 20 years, until another Cameron-directed movie, “Avatar,” overtook it in 2009, according to Box Office Mojo.

Despite McConaughey losing out on “Titanic,” he has had a successful film career.  

He won an Academy Award for best actor for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club” and starred in the Christopher Nolan-directed “Interstellar.”  

McConaughey also appeared in “The Wolf of Wall Street” — alongside DiCaprio.