The Search for Jack Dawson: Titanic II

I wrote this seven years ago, too, for Themestream.

Lesser-grossing films have had sequels, thus, here is my idea for the follow-up to the biggest moneymaker of all time:

Several years after the sinking of the H.M.S. Titanic, it has been revealed that passenger Molly Brown (played by Kathy Bates in the original) has announced that the "Star of Omar," a centuries-old bracelet was among the priceless valuables lost on that ill-fated voyage. Brown recalls that the bracelet was in the pants pocket of the tuxedo that she loaned to Jack Dawson (Leonardo Di Caprio). Valued then at over $40,000, the piece is now worth billions in today's market.

Because the technology now exists which can allow another trek to the ocean's depths, Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton) spearheads another excursion to find the location of the stone in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. In thinking about the story told by Rose (Gloria Stuart), Lovett assumes that the "Star" can be salvaged and he and his crew (now including Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) can make Bill Gates look like a pauper.

Embarking on his quest, Lovett again descends to the site of Titanic's demise in his quest. Knowing that long ago Jack Dawson has become fodder for the sea creatures that inhabit the region, the captain's is relentless in his pursuit of the sunken treasure.However, things take a turn when the underwater explorers discover a submerged spacecraft inhabited by otherworldly creatures. These aliens have been living undisturbed for eons. To their surprise, Lovett and company discovers that Jack Dawson rules the colony. The alien race has the technology to resuscitate the non-living; thus, they were able to bring the dead Dawson back to life. Because the aliens thought him to be unlike anything that they had seen, they made him their "King of the Undersea World." They were not able to halt the aging process, however; thus Dawson (now played by Senator Strom Thurmond) is now over one hundred years old.

Lovett presents his case as to why he and his men have come. He states that they mean no harm and was only seeking the lost item. Dawson, who rules with a tight fist, has the surface-dwellers arrested, demanding that in exchange for the stone they give him his precious Rose.A retrieval craft is sent up and an exhumed Rose (again played by Gloria Stuart) is reunited with her long-lost love.The salvagers return, laden with their booty, and Jack and Rose are now allowed to spend their remaining days in loving splendor.

There you have it: a cost-cutting and effective sequel. Cameron can utilize film from both "Titanic" and "The Abyss." Or he can join with George Lucas and have the undersea kingdom made up of relatives of Jar Jar Binks, which can serve as a tie-in to the next "Star Wars."

All he needs do is talk Celine Dion out of retirement.