Cameron has long been an advocate for New Zealand’s film industry, highlighting its world-class visual effects artists and historical contributions to cinema
James Cameron is feeling optimistic about Avatar: Fire and Ash, the latest installment in the groundbreaking sci-fi franchise. At 70, the acclaimed filmmaker has already screened the film for a select audience, and the feedback has left him excited about its potential.
Cameron revealed to Stuff, “I’ve shown it to a few selected people and the feedback has been… it’s definitely the most emotional and maybe the best of the three so far. We’ll find out, you know, but I feel pretty good about it.”
The film, featuring stars like Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet, is set to continue the expansive world-building of the Avatar universe.
Cameron has praised the performances of his cast, adding, “The work is exceptional from the actors. It’s pretty heart-wrenching in a good way.”
Filmed in Wellington, New Zealand, Avatar: Fire and Ash is a product of Cameron’s deep ties to the country. The director, who now calls New Zealand home, expressed his hopes for revitalizing the local film industry. “It’s in a bit of a low spot right now, but when I first got here there was vigour in the film community, there was vigour in the city at large,” he said. “We just need to remember that we’re good at that. From my perspective, reinvigorating the film sector can mean a lot. And I don’t think people here really appreciate how good they are relative to such a small population base.”
Cameron has long been an advocate for New Zealand’s film industry, highlighting its world-class visual effects artists and historical contributions to cinema. He emphasized the importance of investing in the sector, saying, “We’re very good at some of the very high-tech stuff. You know, there are excellent VFX artists here, world-class. Historically, it’s been proven, it’s respected, and I feel it’s a place that’s worthy of investing.”
Despite his confidence in Fire and Ash, Cameron was initially hesitant about making more Avatar films. He admitted to Empire magazine that he spent two years contemplating whether to continue the franchise. “I had to think long and hard whether I even wanted to make another ‘Avatar’ film, because it was kind of ours to lose,” he explained. “When you’ve done something that’s been that transcendent in terms of success, do you really want to go try and do that again? There’s a lot of pressure on it. I thought about it for a good two years before we finally made a deal.”
As the Avatar saga continues, Cameron remains confident in the relevance of its themes. Speaking to China.org, he noted the timeliness of the franchise’s message: “We’ve got climate change, we’ve got deforestation, our relationship with nature is more at risk than it’s ever been, and ‘Avatar’ is about those things, but it also is a timeless film.”
Despite some critics who deem the stories “too simple,” Cameron defended the films’ universal appeal, explaining that they are not merely simple but “universal.” The director believes that the films’ emotional resonance transcends cultural boundaries, making them meaningful to audiences worldwide. As Avatar: Fire and Ash nears its release, Cameron’s confidence and connection to his craft are clear.
