James Cameron is a confident filmmaker. You can see that in his actual filmmaking style and choices. Waiting years between sequels and building an original franchise about blue aliens and 3D technology, for example. But he also is well aware of the financial success he’s experienced, and Cameron isn’t afraid to use that to his advantage, such as when he was making the original “Avatar.”
Speaking to The New York Times, James Cameron talked about battles he faced when trying to make the original “Avatar” more than a decade ago. As you might expect, the studio was apprehensive about spending so much money on a new franchise about blue aliens. However, when Cameron was done with arguing, he would just remind the studio about his record-breaking success on “Titanic.”
“I think I felt, at the time, that we clashed over certain things,” he said. “For example, the studio felt that the film should be shorter and that there was too much flying around on the ikran — what the humans call the banshees. Well, it turns out that’s what the audience loved the most, in terms of our exit polling and data gathering.”
Cameron continued, “And that’s a place where I just drew a line in the sand and said, ‘You know what? I made “Titanic.” This building that we’re meeting in right now, this new half-billion dollar complex on your lot? “Titanic” paid for that, so I get to do this.’ And afterward, they thanked me. I feel that my job is to protect their investment, often against their own judgment. But as long as I protect their investment, all is forgiven.”
READ MORE: James Cameron Is Realistic About The ‘Avatar’ Sequels Not Breaking Records
Obviously, you have to be a confident filmmaker to speak to a studio in such a way. However, you can’t say Cameron is wrong. The money earned by “Titanic,” a film that was controversial in how much it cost, just reinforces Cameron’s confidence. Then, when “Avatar” went on to break those records and do even bigger business, you’d be stupid to argue with the filmmaker, at this point. At least until he delivers a real bomb.
“Avatar: The Way of Water” is set to arrive in theaters on December 16.
