 In 1994 , McEntire starred in Is There Life Out There ? , a television movie based on her song of the same name . The following year , she appeared in Buffalo Girls , which was based upon the life of western cowgirl , Calamity Jane ( played by Anjelica Huston ) . Playing Jane 's friend , Annie Oakley , Buffalo Girls was nominated for an Emmy award . In 1996 , McEntire was cast by director James Cameron as Molly Brown in his film Titanic . However , when it became apparent production for the film would extend well beyond its original length , McEntire had to turn down the part , as she had already scheduled prior concert engagements . The role was recast with Kathy Bates . In 1998 , she starred as Lizzie Brooks in Forever Love , which was based upon McEntire 's hit single of the same name . 
