James Cameron is underrated for giving room for many great female performances in his blockbuster action movies. Kate Winslet, Jamie Lee Curtis, Linda Hamilton, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana all gave amazing/iconic performances in his films.
Whenever someone mentions that they like the strong female characters back in the earlier days of cinema, they always reference Sarah Connor and Ellen Ripley
Love his candid and no bs attitude. It’s so refreshing. Video went by so fast. Like others said I can listen to him talk about the movie making process all day.
my dream video is James Cameron and Quentin Trantino discussing cinema and the art of moviemaking, that'd be like ten hours straight of them talking everybody to death
One of my university courses was taught by a talent manager who represented an actor who worked in the first Avatar film, and she talked glowingly about James Cameron and how he handles the problems that arise during pre production and securing contracts. It was cool to see the attitude that she talked about reflected in this video.
I like how he always knows what to say it seems like. When no studio wanted to make Avatar- he said " Well when this movie makes 3 billion dollars you'll be the studio that didn't want it ". And then it did make 3 billion.
This man was working as a truck driver - never went to film school - and would drive to USC (University of Southern California) on the weekends, sneak student & professor papers on acting & technical aspects of filmmaking out of the library and photocopy them to read in the cab of his semi truck. He is, if nothing else, a lesson in determination.
Leo was so enamored playing troubled character that sometime he forgot the "normal" character can be challenging and charming. I would like to see him playing "normal" and charming
@Brian You didn't find Blanchett and Leo's scenes worthwhile? I know a movie isnt worth seeing for just a few scenes necessarily, but I thought their stuff together was top notch.
This is nothing like I pictured him. Down to earth and a straight shooter. I would buy him a beer! btw - Aliens is still one of the best movies ever made.
Have you seen his recent quotes on toxic masculinity? He's a social justice warrior now of the worst and most hypocritical kind. Do you remember at the Oscars many years ago when Amy Poehler and Tina Fey made that crack about how being married to Cameron would be the worst? It was no secret that he is a prick. An incredible filmmaker who belong on the mount Rushmore of Directors, but that doesn't mean he's not a piece of garbage.
Super interesting and truly amazing to listen to. His achievements as a film-maker and as an environmental activist should be an example for all to follow.
@Craig Murdock he has the technical ambition that Lucas has and a knack for storytelling but Lucas always seemed more interested in being experimental. Cameron still prioritizes making a great movie above all else.
if he quit, it would be a tragedy for the industry. But we all have to live our lives with whats important to us. cant fault him if he thinks helping various tribes is more important. but while movies arnt directly saving lives, they can save people in other ways, improve their day or week, may them dream of something, take them out of a rut they might be in. im sure his movies have helped countless people. A world without his movies would have been quite a sad place.
Aliens and Terminator are the defining moments in 80s. Terminator 2 in the 90s. Avatar in 00s. Alita: Battle Angel 10s. Each decade James Cameron has changed cinema. Can't wait to see what he does in 20s.
One of the greatest of all time. Never misses, redefines technology, expands what we think a blockbuster can be, wins awards, comes back ten years later and does it all again.
The Abyss was such a great movie. James Cameron knows his stuff. You can tell he lives and breathes these movies. Reminds me a little of Stanley Kubrick.
This was great. I could watch another hour and a half of this. I took summer school at USC film school and we had a private screening of The Rock one night. Afterward, we got a 1 on 1 chat with Michael Bay after most of the other students left. It was just the five of us with Michael Bay sitting in the seats of the theater talking about movies, directing, careers, the insanity of Hollywood. I thought it was the greatest night of my life until I heard that the year before, they had James Cameron do the same thing.
True, being just a character that doesn't have to have something wrong with them is more challenging to play, because you still need to make them engaging. That does take talent.
What a mastermind and genius! Been watching Aliens and Terminators since I was 6 y.o. He shaped my life! Best director of all times! ❤️ Heading to watch new Avatar next Tuesday!
We definitely lost our precious time with James Cameron where he could have made few more hard core action movies.. But despite all, titanic was a masterpiece.
When the pandemic hit in 2020 a local cinema screened Titanic. For years I'd been obsessed with the movie and watched it dozens of times and it was truly magical finally seeing it on the big screen :)
@FUGP 1972 Movies weren't shut down because theaters were shut down. They were not being made because they weren't allowed to shoot because quarantine.
@Robd1 I'd have to throw in the Lord of the Rings films and No Country For Old Men but yeah, The Dark Knight was a pretty great theatrical experience as well.
To this day Titanic is my favorite movie. Another comment said it best...The first and only movie I've ever fallen in love with. My second favorite movie isn't even close in terms of the emotional attachment I have to it.
@Nick Tubby NO. we dont want to be left with mediocre directors who only knows to film big franchise and remakes. He's the only director that can create original films and explode at box office
@Don Nix Yeah and hundreds of millions of people connected with their plight because of the movie. Your grandfather would have appreciated that Titanic was not forgotten.
I would love to see Cameron and Spielberg produce a film together with one of them, if not both of them being the director! Or maybe Cameron and either Christopher or Jonathan Nolan (Westworld, Fallout series)! I wonder how it would turn out? Maybe the Greatest Sci-fi blockbuster ever!
@Publius we just auctioned off his life jacket at an elite Manhattan auction house, we got 3.2 million dollars for it so that’s a start. More $$ to come. Just getting our deserved piece of the pie. Pretty sweet to be us.
Titanic really is THE biggest film of all time, and it wouldn't have been if it weren't for James, Kate and Leo. This movie was not only amazing in terms of scrip and direction, but in cast too. A true masterpiece!
@Ares I think his character got misunderstood. So his performance didn't get the credit it could have at the time. He's not a villain in the real sense. He played it as an insecure vulnerable rich brat who can't make his wife love him, and seems changed by the disaster at the end
@DaveKarl it's not a "copy", it references it. A Night To Remember is a great movie because a whole lot of it is based on actual survivor accounts, so it's a great material to reference.
@On A Stick Yeah why not write your own movie and make it let me see how talented you are. If you're not able to win 11 Oscars and reach a billion at the box office like Cameron then my guy you're a waste.🤨 Jim topped it twice I bet you'll never top it once. It's better to be a hater and be smart than be a hater and be stupid. So which one are you ? You gotta prove to the world kid. James Cameron has said terrible things abt Marvel movies but he still tops the box office and knocks Marvel out. Titanic is known around the world ruling the box office for 12 years Avatar did rule for 10 years. No Director in history has ever reached that level. So kid go watch spongebob if you can't understand Titanic. Have a good day!😃
Jesus Christ, this is so good - best GC interview I've seen. I could listen to this guy for hours. I tend to feel you sometimes need to drag the answers out of the actor/director, but Cameron just effortlessly tells a vivid story about each movie he's made and interactions he's had. No wonder he's such a great film maker!
If you're interested in hearing him talk for hours, check out his masterclass. It was really, really great. He speaks in the same manner as in here with interesting details and it's supposed to be one of the best masterclasses (it's the only one I've watched myself).
Nearly all of his movies changed Hollywood. The Abyss pushed underwater photography to new levels. T2 redefined how CGI can be used to enhance practical effects. Titanic unlocked new levels of box office success previously thought unattainable. Avatar featured next level motion capturing and was the first real 3D movie experience for the masses. He's a genius. He's probably a tyrant going by the many testimonials given by people who worked with him. But he's a certified genius.
@Jason Dashney Very true and very fair. I agree with your comment. Also that's exactly what I meant. It's 400,000,00 off but both are in the billions grossed so it is close relatively speaking. I would guess they use the reported on demand "rentals" and the cost of renting it posted in the apps. It's kind of cheating since those rentals are usually marked up quite a bit but there are ways to track it, then they just add them to ticket sales grosses.
@Scott B I guess comparisons are pretty hard sense nowadays theatres are everywhere and more accessible, but society also has way more things to distract someone so they don't go see movies at all. It's such a different environment. It's pretty impressive they gone with the wind did those numbers at the end of the great depression. GWTW was $400,000,000 over Avatar but I will give you that it is at least in the ballpark because the gross numbers are so preposterously large. I wonder how they calculated box office when it comes to movies that are released in theatres and on demand at the same time.
@Jason Dashney not entirely true. Star Wars has always been relatively close and now newer movies are approaching GWTW. Avatar and indeed Titanic are within shouting distance...albeit somewhat unfairly with all the re-releases and additional markets they released it.
"Titanic unlocked new levels of box office success previously thought unattainable." Only when not adjusted for inflation. Nothing will ever come within a country mile of gone with the wind.
@Arkthus it didn't revolutionize Mocap. That was an industry staple in video games for years and was a major film staple...most notably with Peter Jackson with LOTR and ESPECIALLY King Kong. Star Wars Episode I was the first film with a mocapped main character and Sinbad (2000) was the first all mocapped film.
Not just that . NASA consults with him for info on how to mine the depths of planets .. particularly Mars coming up. Only a few folks like him on the planet folks…..
I hear you. The only other movie that shook me to the core outside of Titanic was Brokeback Mountain in 2006 - about 50- 60% the strength of my Titanic "obsession." Years went by and the Brokeback "obsession" dissipated, but the Titanic one is still going strong, now in its 25th year.
An absolute genius of filmmaking. He has literally changed how films and special effects are done in every movie he makes. His passion for creativity and the world around him is amazing.
21:58 "I had people who were trying to advise me on my career after 'Terminator' say, 'Absolutely do not do this film.' Meaning, 'Aliens.' [They] said, 'If it's good, they're gonna attribute it to Ridley, and if it's bad, it's all you, there's no upside.' And I thought, 'Well, you know, you're probably right and that's very logical, but I just dig it, and I'm gonna do it, I just like it.'"
I still remember being a teenager, and seeing Titanic in the theater with my friend. As two teenage guys we were expecting an action movie as the original trailer showed guns being waved around lol. By the time the credits rolled he and I were trying so hard to not admit we were crying 😂.
I have nothing but respect for James Cameron. Everytime he made a movie he pushed the industry forward. And T2 is and always will be the greates Action movie of all time.
@HAL 9000 Game designer. Working towards making the most meaningful games I can, primarily immersive games that are more akin to sandboxes for experience. Minecraft, Valheim, and Rust are good examples of games that do that. I hope to go beyond what those games offer, we'll see though.
lispywordsmith7438 Ooohhh boy Thats gonna hurt when you finally do... I had the change to watch it in theatre... and didn't. Still feel bad about it... Epic movie
I think without a doubt that Horner's score plays a huge role in my decision to put Titanic as the number one on my personal list of the best movies of all time.
The monitor behind James kinda looks like a window with a view of Pandora itself. Now I'm totally convinced that these movies were all shot on location and James went all the way there to film everything
@Striker Bowls so you think people say anything other than "look! Its that harry potter guy!" When they see him? Dude only had one trully iconic role, this is factual and thats one more iconic role than 99% of everybody who ever lived. Now if that factual information triggers you in any way than you clearly have a problem with reality, not with me
I could see how actors/crew bump heads with him big time. He also seems to understand the bigger picture, the vision and the goals. Im glad he’s still making movies for sure, and seems reflective which probably helps with the attitude
@MojoTheClown Wrong, Francis Ford Coppola invented blockbuster with The Godfather. The Godfather was considered to be a blockbuster at that time, and then there's Spielberg with Jaws that popularized it, then Lucas, then Cameron who moved it forward. The Godfather invented the word "blockbuster" in the first place
He doesn't talk about True Lies? Alita? Dark Angel? Piranha 2?! Jeez...Glad he talks about the Abyss, though. That movie is so underrated. I still can't find the Extended Cut on Blu-Ray, which makes me sad.
The fact that James Cameron remembers what kind of bulbs they used and that they used "double inline ground fault interrupters" is pretty impressive. Either he worked on the lighting for so long that it was ingrained in his memory, or he has a really really good memory lol
I could listen to him talk about his movies and the process of making them all day long. Such a interesting filmmaker to listen to and very expressive with his thoughts.
So I worked retail with his nephew. I found out about the relation when his nephew was off for the day and lost my mind. After that I never geeked out or tried to get anything through him. I would just ask random questions such as: "So what did your uncle really think of Terminator 3?" "What was Linda Hamilton like?" "When is the next Avatar movie coming out?"
@Sektion9 "He doesn't really talk about any of those." "I don't know I met her once when I was like 3 years old." "I think he just finished some of the scripts." He answered them pretty casually and didn't really elaborate further. I never pressed on if he didn't keep the conversation going. He was a cool dude.
James Cameron vs Ridley Scott 1) The Terminator vs Thelma & Louise 2) Aliens vs Alien 3) The Abyss vs Prometheus 4) Terminator-2 vs Blade Runner 5) True Lies vs Black Hawk Down 6) Titanic vs Gladiator 7) Avatar vs The Martian
Only 8:00 on Titanic?? I wouldn't of minded watching the entire clip just on the making of the Titanic! 😍 I had no idea the director(s) & production crews planned out kisses so detailedly!
They have the behind the scenes of Titanic that runs for almost 2 hours. Someone posted several parts of it few years ago. Might be deleted due to copyright.
@Aka I agree with you, my main thought of him as a person who always chooses technical accomplishments over artistic merit....because he has the scientific ability...yet totally lacks the artistic excellence.
@Aka I understand perfectly. I have written five screenplays on my final draft software from2001-2014, several shopped around, 1 optioned, none produced sadly & my sister is a published novelist & active screenwriter (tv). Cameron's dialogue is great in certain action (Aliens & parts of T1 & T2) terrible in Avatar & Titanic. His characters are paper thin & usually quite 1 dimensional. Cameron is a great conceptualizer of story & a poor writer of serious dialogue & serious characters. he has spent half of his career writing the same paper thin, predictable, psycho/crazy/cool/or cocky marines, or SEALS (Abyss, Aliens, Avatar)in action flicks. It was cool 1 time, in Aliens. His characters are poorly written, his attempts at serous dialogue (the 1 time he tried it in Titanic) is poor & clunky. There is way worse than "poor", IMO. Like Suicide Squad level awful...or Showgirls level horrific.
@WindyClear That is not true. THe only movies he wrote himself were The Abyss, Titanic & Avatar. It shows too because those have the worst writing of all his films. -Terminator he wrote with Gale Ann Hurd, his first wife with additional writing by William Wisher -Aliens was written by Cameron with DAvid Giler & Walter Hill, Based on the original film by Dan O Bannon & Ronald Shusett. -Terminator 2 he wrote with William Wisher who helpd with T1 - True Lies was an adapted Screenplay by Cameron Based on the 1991 french spy comedy film "La Totale!" written by Claude Zidi (& directed by him) & Simon Michaël & Didier Kaminka Cameron is a great conceptualizer & technician but a very poor writer.
Even though a lot of his movies are nearly 3 hours long, they feel more like 90 minutes because they're just so engaging. When you get to the end you want it to keep going.
Oh , he really read Leo, did he. Great psychology. I loved Terminator 1 better than T2. It messes with your mind. Loved Aliens. Avatar was ...meh, it was more or less the same story as my favorite children book trilogy "children of mother earth"
James Cameron is beyond age and time! As I was watching this interview, I realized he’s just not just a genius but he has a knowledge of many lifetimes!
James Cameron is underrated for giving room for many great female performances in his blockbuster action movies. Kate Winslet, Jamie Lee Curtis, Linda Hamilton, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana all gave amazing/iconic performances in his films.
Whenever someone mentions that they like the strong female characters back in the earlier days of cinema, they always reference Sarah Connor and Ellen Ripley
Simp
You forgot Arnold
@Darth Sidious lol what is he doing differently?
Must be why he wants to eliminate testosterone this Man was my favourite director now he just another woke puppet😔
Love his candid and no bs attitude. It’s so refreshing. Video went by so fast. Like others said I can listen to him talk about the movie making process all day.
my dream video is James Cameron and Quentin Trantino discussing cinema and the art of moviemaking, that'd be like ten hours straight of them talking everybody to death
One of my university courses was taught by a talent manager who represented an actor who worked in the first Avatar film, and she talked glowingly about James Cameron and how he handles the problems that arise during pre production and securing contracts. It was cool to see the attitude that she talked about reflected in this video.
I like how he always knows what to say it seems like. When no studio wanted to make Avatar- he said " Well when this movie makes 3 billion dollars you'll be the studio that didn't want it ". And then it did make 3 billion.
I have no respect for this guy since he declared in 2022 that "testosterone is toxic". It's the same as any Hollywood propaganda slave.
i literally fell asleep yesterday listening to him. not because he’s boring, but because his voice is relaxing
This man was working as a truck driver - never went to film school - and would drive to USC (University of Southern California) on the weekends, sneak student & professor papers on acting & technical aspects of filmmaking out of the library and photocopy them to read in the cab of his semi truck. He is, if nothing else, a lesson in determination.
@Rob Roy oooh!! Best comment, best response to such a "blah"!!👏👏👏👍👍👍👍❤
@pierre117 Let me guess...your non-Mexican privilege white guy who cares for other people's struggles? Lol
Then maybe he should have taken some copies about his screenwriting or not be so involved with his horrendous stories.
Wow, that is mad.
@Vuribo You’ve got estrogen in your blood stream bro how do you feel about that
Leo was so enamored playing troubled character that sometime he forgot the "normal" character can be challenging and charming. I would like to see him playing "normal" and charming
@critiqueofthe gothgf lol "cope and seethe". The line people use when their opinion is literal trash.
@Brian cope and seethe. dont look up was great
@Brian I rather enjoyed the film.
I loved "The Beach". I think it was 1999. Something about the quest for pleasure and how it all turned bad was awesome.
@Brian You didn't find Blanchett and Leo's scenes worthwhile? I know a movie isnt worth seeing for just a few scenes necessarily, but I thought their stuff together was top notch.
Wow. Did not expect for him to be so straight forward. He does not sugar coat anything. Refreshing honesty.
@SBM TOY REVIEWS I dont think you actually understood the Leo story
He sounds like a Dutch person to me how he talks. Much prefer this honesty than fakery. I am Dutch myself.
Yeah. Agreed. This was first time I've heard him talk in an interview, and he's the opposite of what I thought he was in terms of vibe and personality
This MAN said that testosterone is a toxin that should be removed. Does science fiction and doesn’t understand science.
He’s always been like that
I remember seeing Terminator 2 in the movie theater as a young teenager and was blown away. Still the best movie going experience ever.
@Griffin Greeley calm
I agree. It should be up there with avatar and titanic at the box office.
@Ka Boom Saw Aliens at 12. Best movie experience to this date. T2 I saw twice in the same day. I wish Cameron stayed with R rated action movies.
Same with avater
that opener was a thing!
Someone needs to interview James for a whole day! We need a long series of interviews!
I'd like to see him on Joe Rogan
@That's a Bingo and olllklllll
I’m sure James got better things to do
Lex or Joe
@Smiley he does thank you I just watched it..
T2 is still one of the best movies ever made. A true cinematic masterpiece.
@Stone Cold definitely not
I think so too
The CG still holds up today. And they did it all by writting their own software. The story is god tier as well.
100%
Probably the greatest of all time.
This is nothing like I pictured him. Down to earth and a straight shooter. I would buy him a beer! btw - Aliens is still one of the best movies ever made.
He gave women lead roles in his movie though , don’t understand
@Jason Dashney No decent director can truly get the most out of a crew or actor by being too nice.
@Jason Dashneysocial justice warrior does not equal piece of garbage 😂 he has a big ego, yes. Full of himself sure. Calling him trash isn’t justified
Have you seen his recent quotes on toxic masculinity? He's a social justice warrior now of the worst and most hypocritical kind. Do you remember at the Oscars many years ago when Amy Poehler and Tina Fey made that crack about how being married to Cameron would be the worst? It was no secret that he is a prick. An incredible filmmaker who belong on the mount Rushmore of Directors, but that doesn't mean he's not a piece of garbage.
This guy is so good its rare he made a sequel more famous than the first movie
@ThePsychicFish you mean Titanic: Jack is Back
@ThePsychicFishlmao
@David Oakes what about titanic 2
All his sequels including The Way Of Water are at least as good if not better than the original.
Super interesting and truly amazing to listen to. His achievements as a film-maker and as an environmental activist should be an example for all to follow.
I genuinely can't put into words how important this dude was and still is to the film industry as a whole.
@Craig Murdock because avatar 2 had an extremely good story
@Craig Murdock George Lucas is easily the greatest producer who ever lived. But Cameron is the best at almost everything else, too.
@Craig Murdock he has the technical ambition that Lucas has and a knack for storytelling but Lucas always seemed more interested in being experimental. Cameron still prioritizes making a great movie above all else.
if he quit, it would be a tragedy for the industry. But we all have to live our lives with whats important to us. cant fault him if he thinks helping various tribes is more important. but while movies arnt directly saving lives, they can save people in other ways, improve their day or week, may them dream of something, take them out of a rut they might be in. im sure his movies have helped countless people. A world without his movies would have been quite a sad place.
@Labyrinth1010 😢
Aliens and Terminator are the defining moments in 80s. Terminator 2 in the 90s. Avatar in 00s. Alita: Battle Angel 10s. Each decade James Cameron has changed cinema. Can't wait to see what he does in 20s.
@Nick Tubby Just got $2bi in box office
they cut the power
@Maana nah there was also Jurassic Park (1993)
@Nick Tubby not even close. That would be piranha 2
@Nick Tubby I'm guessing a lot of blue
One of the greatest of all time. Never misses, redefines technology, expands what we think a blockbuster can be, wins awards, comes back ten years later and does it all again.
@Jake E Self-pleasing clown.
@Jake E Right after you stop self-pleasing. Clown.
@Jake E Your right hand doesn't count, son.
The Abyss was such a great movie. James Cameron knows his stuff. You can tell he lives and breathes these movies. Reminds me a little of Stanley Kubrick.
Titanic was a fantastic departure for him because it’s more of a romantic epic. People never expected James Cameron had that romance in his soul.
This was great. I could watch another hour and a half of this. I took summer school at USC film school and we had a private screening of The Rock one night. Afterward, we got a 1 on 1 chat with Michael Bay after most of the other students left. It was just the five of us with Michael Bay sitting in the seats of the theater talking about movies, directing, careers, the insanity of Hollywood. I thought it was the greatest night of my life until I heard that the year before, they had James Cameron do the same thing.
Titanic is my favorite movie ever!!! So historically accurate and such a tragically beautiful love story as well!!! ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Remember seeing Abyss as a kid and my jaw was dropped for two hours. Fantastic movie
The Abyss (extended edition aswell) is frigging epic film experience, full of amazing teachings. 💙
I found it terribly boring, but as an adult I'd probably like it.
Incredibly edited movie as well as amazing proformances
Particularly the Special Edition with the proper ending
True, being just a character that doesn't have to have something wrong with them is more challenging to play, because you still need to make them engaging. That does take talent.
James Cameron is ruthless. And this is why his movies are excellent.
What a mastermind and genius! Been watching Aliens and Terminators since I was 6 y.o. He shaped my life! Best director of all times! ❤️
Heading to watch new Avatar next Tuesday!
Aliens is one of my favorite movies of all time, so glad he had the balls to do it
I can listen to this guy forever. What a great director. Thank you James! 👏
Down-to-heart guy who knows perfectly his art/craft.
What a masterpiece, Titanic, which leaves us all in pain to see another unbearable tragic ending.
Fresh content. Always fun to hear things that you haven't heard a million times before.
We definitely lost our precious time with James Cameron where he could have made few more hard core action movies.. But despite all, titanic was a masterpiece.
When the pandemic hit in 2020 a local cinema screened Titanic. For years I'd been obsessed with the movie and watched it dozens of times and it was truly magical finally seeing it on the big screen :)
That’s cool
They are releasing it again in 2023, the 25th anniversary. I've seen it 4 times on the big screen, this will be number 5!!! :))
@FUGP 1972 Movies weren't shut down because theaters were shut down. They were not being made because they weren't allowed to shoot because quarantine.
@Robd1 I'd have to throw in the Lord of the Rings films and No Country For Old Men but yeah, The Dark Knight was a pretty great theatrical experience as well.
I saw it opening week. It was actually the Last movie that was worth seeing...until Chris Nolans Dark Knight came out
James Cameron is the most important and most inspire director after Steven Spielberg in modern cinema.
One of the few remaining geniuses of movie making. Freakin titan of cinema.
To this day Titanic is my favorite movie. Another comment said it best...The first and only movie I've ever fallen in love with. My second favorite movie isn't even close in terms of the emotional attachment I have to it.
Thank God this man didn't quit and bail on being a filmmaker. DON'T QUIT! YOU CAN DO IT!
@Nick Tubby NO. we dont want to be left with mediocre directors who only knows to film big franchise and remakes. He's the only director that can create original films and explode at box office
@Nick Tubby 1 billion box office says otherwise.
He should have retired on top.
Avatar 2 is bad.
The way he schooled Leo on pre-production of Titanic is my absolute favorite part. Pure collaboration.
@Don Nix Yeah and hundreds of millions of people connected with their plight because of the movie. Your grandfather would have appreciated that Titanic was not forgotten.
I would love to see Cameron and Spielberg produce a film together with one of them, if not both of them being the director! Or maybe Cameron and either Christopher or Jonathan Nolan (Westworld, Fallout series)! I wonder how it would turn out? Maybe the Greatest Sci-fi blockbuster ever!
@Publius we just auctioned off his life jacket at an elite Manhattan auction house, we got 3.2 million dollars for it so that’s a start. More $$ to come. Just getting our deserved piece of the pie. Pretty sweet to be us.
@TitanicFan97 jack dawson is not a real person, there were actual human beings on the Titanic
@Alex Blake you are irrelevant, you have no ties to any important historical events. You existence is irrelevant
Aliens will always be my favorite film of his. It's just perfect.
He's so lovely and smart and conscientious and sensitive. Born to be a filmmaker.
Simply my all time favorite filmmaker!
Titanic really is THE biggest film of all time, and it wouldn't have been if it weren't for James, Kate and Leo. This movie was not only amazing in terms of scrip and direction, but in cast too. A true masterpiece!
@Ares I think his character got misunderstood. So his performance didn't get the credit it could have at the time. He's not a villain in the real sense. He played it as an insecure vulnerable rich brat who can't make his wife love him, and seems changed by the disaster at the end
@Patrice AQABilly Zane a Legend, James Cameron a creative Genius
@Joshua J. Chinda I'm not sure I could write characters that cliched and bad, I'll give it a go, but writing down to that level would be difficult.
@DaveKarl it's not a "copy", it references it. A Night To Remember is a great movie because a whole lot of it is based on actual survivor accounts, so it's a great material to reference.
@On A Stick Yeah why not write your own movie and make it let me see how talented you are. If you're not able to win 11 Oscars and reach a billion at the box office like Cameron then my guy you're a waste.🤨 Jim topped it twice I bet you'll never top it once. It's better to be a hater and be smart than be a hater and be stupid. So which one are you ? You gotta prove to the world kid. James Cameron has said terrible things abt Marvel movies but he still tops the box office and knocks Marvel out. Titanic is known around the world ruling the box office for 12 years Avatar did rule for 10 years. No Director in history has ever reached that level. So kid go watch spongebob if you can't understand Titanic. Have a good day!😃
Aliens is the gift that keeps on giving with the memorable one liners, even beyond the movie itself...
"DOUGAL! WE ARE NOT WATCHING ALIENS!"
Thanks Cameron to giving us Titanic, the best movie of all times
What a genius writer\director
Jesus Christ, this is so good - best GC interview I've seen. I could listen to this guy for hours. I tend to feel you sometimes need to drag the answers out of the actor/director, but Cameron just effortlessly tells a vivid story about each movie he's made and interactions he's had. No wonder he's such a great film maker!
@Cor
Cheers, dude. I might just do that - loved his science fiction 6 part documentary!
If you're interested in hearing him talk for hours, check out his masterclass. It was really, really great. He speaks in the same manner as in here with interesting details and it's supposed to be one of the best masterclasses (it's the only one I've watched myself).
Nearly all of his movies changed Hollywood. The Abyss pushed underwater photography to new levels. T2 redefined how CGI can be used to enhance practical effects. Titanic unlocked new levels of box office success previously thought unattainable. Avatar featured next level motion capturing and was the first real 3D movie experience for the masses. He's a genius. He's probably a tyrant going by the many testimonials given by people who worked with him. But he's a certified genius.
@Jason Dashney Very true and very fair. I agree with your comment. Also that's exactly what I meant. It's 400,000,00 off but both are in the billions grossed so it is close relatively speaking.
I would guess they use the reported on demand "rentals" and the cost of renting it posted in the apps. It's kind of cheating since those rentals are usually marked up quite a bit but there are ways to track it, then they just add them to ticket sales grosses.
@Scott B I guess comparisons are pretty hard sense nowadays theatres are everywhere and more accessible, but society also has way more things to distract someone so they don't go see movies at all. It's such a different environment. It's pretty impressive they gone with the wind did those numbers at the end of the great depression. GWTW was $400,000,000 over Avatar but I will give you that it is at least in the ballpark because the gross numbers are so preposterously large.
I wonder how they calculated box office when it comes to movies that are released in theatres and on demand at the same time.
@Jason Dashney not entirely true. Star Wars has always been relatively close and now newer movies are approaching GWTW. Avatar and indeed Titanic are within shouting distance...albeit somewhat unfairly with all the re-releases and additional markets they released it.
"Titanic unlocked new levels of box office success previously thought unattainable." Only when not adjusted for inflation. Nothing will ever come within a country mile of gone with the wind.
@Arkthus it didn't revolutionize Mocap. That was an industry staple in video games for years and was a major film staple...most notably with Peter Jackson with LOTR and ESPECIALLY King Kong. Star Wars Episode I was the first film with a mocapped main character and Sinbad (2000) was the first all mocapped film.
The amount of detail it takes I
Him to make a movie is perfection 🙏🙏
Hands down my favourite person in film. Hes a genius. End of. Cannot wait for avatar
I forgot some of those movies he directed....so awesome!
I just came here for Titanic its an emotion ❤️
I could hear James Cameron speak about his films for two hours. A modern day creative genius who writes, directs, draws and produces.
Also a vegan who doesn't eat animals and animal products both out of true, unselective compassion and environmental reasons.
@Between Frames Production his master class is good
I was about to write just about the same as you wrote. I could hear this man talk about his movies for hours.
Not just that . NASA consults with him for info on how to mine the depths of planets .. particularly Mars coming up. Only a few folks like him on the planet folks…..
Just watch this four times
More of my favourite directors, everyone movie he makes is top notch 👌 👍
He is the legend, the one and only legend of this planet.
Titanic is the only movie I've ever fallen in love with. To this day when I see clips, I still get starry-eyed.
I hear you. The only other movie that shook me to the core outside of Titanic was Brokeback Mountain in 2006 - about 50- 60% the strength of my Titanic "obsession." Years went by and the Brokeback "obsession" dissipated, but the Titanic one is still going strong, now in its 25th year.
An absolute genius of filmmaking. He has literally changed how films and special effects are done in every movie he makes. His passion for creativity and the world around him is amazing.
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wow, this was the best director interview Ive heard in terms of keeping my interest!
21:58 "I had people who were trying to advise me on my career after 'Terminator' say,
'Absolutely do not do this film.' Meaning, 'Aliens.' [They] said, 'If it's good, they're gonna attribute it to Ridley, and if it's bad, it's all you, there's no upside.' And I thought, 'Well, you know, you're probably right and that's very logical, but I just dig it, and I'm gonna do it, I just like it.'"
I still remember being a teenager, and seeing Titanic in the theater with my friend. As two teenage guys we were expecting an action movie as the original trailer showed guns being waved around lol. By the time the credits rolled he and I were trying so hard to not admit we were crying 😂.
Love him or hate him, this much I know. You'll be hard-pressed finding a liquid-free James Cameron film.
So iconic ! Love me some James Cameron ❤
Aliens and Terminator 2 are absolute classics!
I have nothing but respect for James Cameron. Everytime he made a movie he pushed the industry forward. And T2 is and always will be the greates Action movie of all time.
@cory good luck ya buddy! Hope early or later we’ll probably collaborate with each other) My own wish is being successful filmmaker.
@HAL 9000 Game designer. Working towards making the most meaningful games I can, primarily immersive games that are more akin to sandboxes for experience. Minecraft, Valheim, and Rust are good examples of games that do that. I hope to go beyond what those games offer, we'll see though.
@cory What's your medium?
I'm not even a filmmaker but aspire to be like him in my medium. Dude has an incredible amount of vision.
This MAN said that testosterone is a toxin that should be removed. Does science fiction and doesn’t understand science.
Arguably the greatest filmmaker of all time
Horner's Titanic score is so iconic that hearing just three seconds of it gives me the chills. Even after all this time.
I still cant believe he passed and wasnt here to do the 2nd soundtrack. He left such a legacy
lispywordsmith7438
Ooohhh boy Thats gonna hurt when you finally do...
I had the change to watch it in theatre... and didn't. Still feel bad about it...
Epic movie
I think without a doubt that Horner's score plays a huge role in my decision to put Titanic as the number one on my personal list of the best movies of all time.
If he say about James Horner in this interview ?
You should listen to Brave heart OST. His masterpiece imo.
Wow these are some amazing stories, especially the Aliens casting shenanigans.
I was already a fan of James Cameron, but after this interview…I’m a HUGE fan of him.
same
Quite few people really impress me. He's definitely one of them
I love how funny and incredibly blunt James is. He's a great storyteller and a living legend. Looking forward to Avatar 2
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The monitor behind James kinda looks like a window with a view of Pandora itself. Now I'm totally convinced that these movies were all shot on location and James went all the way there to film everything
Among the absolute greatest modern directors. No question. He earned that. His track record cannot be faulted.
Terminator, Aliens, and T2 - three of my all time favourite movies. This guy is a genius - I'd love to hear him talk about his films for longer.
I'm SO glad GQ gave Cameron 30 minutes to explain these films PROPERLY! Loved every second!
@MegaLilei It’s not Paramount or 3 hours and 40 minutes.
@MegaLilei not shilling or anyting
Just like Paramount is giving him his 3h40 min for avatar 2.....can't wait to watch that movie
Mutual interest, buddy, you're the product ;)
I think this is the first of GQ's "Iconic" series where all of the topics featured were actually iconic/game-changing.
@Striker Bowls so you think people say anything other than "look! Its that harry potter guy!" When they see him? Dude only had one trully iconic role, this is factual and thats one more iconic role than 99% of everybody who ever lived. Now if that factual information triggers you in any way than you clearly have a problem with reality, not with me
@Ryckarduh Ryckarduh troll
Most of these are just ads for their upcoming film anyway
Not the 1st, but I agree that they tend to overuse the word, "Iconic" when it doesn't apply
Haha I know. "Claire Foy breakdowns her iconic roles" I was like Her what now?
I could see how actors/crew bump heads with him big time.
He also seems to understand the bigger picture, the vision and the goals. Im glad he’s still making movies for sure, and seems reflective which probably helps with the attitude
All his movies are iconic. Doesn’t know what failure means.
Love hearing backstories!
His movies just paved the way for our generation to the next. Undeniably one of the best directors of all time!!
Bout to watch Avatar tonight
Him and Spielberg pretty much defined the modern blockbuster. What a legend.
Neil Breen
I would think George Lucas woukd be thete as well.
When I was a kid, I used to think Titanic was directed by Steven Spielberg.
@LX In your opinion.
@MojoTheClown Wrong, Francis Ford Coppola invented blockbuster with The Godfather. The Godfather was considered to be a blockbuster at that time, and then there's Spielberg with Jaws that popularized it, then Lucas, then Cameron who moved it forward. The Godfather invented the word "blockbuster" in the first place
He doesn't talk about True Lies? Alita? Dark Angel? Piranha 2?! Jeez...Glad he talks about the Abyss, though. That movie is so underrated. I still can't find the Extended Cut on Blu-Ray, which makes me sad.
Can't wait to watch Avatar 2.
He’s a genius. Simple as that.
The fact that James Cameron remembers what kind of bulbs they used and that they used "double inline ground fault interrupters" is pretty impressive. Either he worked on the lighting for so long that it was ingrained in his memory, or he has a really really good memory lol
Actors don't want to die. These details matter for technical people and even more so for non-technical
I could listen to him talk about his movies and the process of making them all day long. Such a interesting filmmaker to listen to and very expressive with his thoughts.
Thanks James for everything!
I never understood why GQ insist on doing all their career related stuff non-chronologically
So I worked retail with his nephew. I found out about the relation when his nephew was off for the day and lost my mind. After that I never geeked out or tried to get anything through him. I would just ask random questions such as:
"So what did your uncle really think of Terminator 3?"
"What was Linda Hamilton like?"
"When is the next Avatar movie coming out?"
@Sektion9 "He doesn't really talk about any of those."
"I don't know I met her once when I was like 3 years old."
"I think he just finished some of the scripts."
He answered them pretty casually and didn't really elaborate further. I never pressed on if he didn't keep the conversation going. He was a cool dude.
Did you get any answers?
Just watched avatar 2 and i must say what a great movie to end this year. It was an awesome 3d experience in theater.
5 out of 5 stars movie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Top James Cameron Films
1. T2 2. Avatar 3. Titantic 4. True Lies 5. Aliens 6. Terminator 7. Abyss 8. Avatar the way of Water
The dude is a legend
James Cameron vs Ridley Scott 1) The Terminator vs Thelma & Louise 2) Aliens vs Alien 3) The Abyss vs Prometheus 4) Terminator-2 vs Blade Runner 5) True Lies vs Black Hawk Down 6) Titanic vs Gladiator 7) Avatar vs The Martian
@Barkley yeah Short and Sweet Cameron
Cameron I would say.
Only 8:00 on Titanic?? I wouldn't of minded watching the entire clip just on the making of the Titanic! 😍
I had no idea the director(s) & production crews planned out kisses so detailedly!
They have the behind the scenes of Titanic that runs for almost 2 hours. Someone posted several parts of it few years ago. Might be deleted due to copyright.
@Scott Sullivan I’m good, hot shot. Look it up. Good luck in your adventures and struggles.
This MAN said that testosterone is a toxin that should be removed. Does science fiction and doesn’t understand science.
SAME HERE, the reason I am watching this video.
I say you get way more in February.
Wow that aliens part could be its own biopic
and look at how long it took to get avatar 2!!! it better be amazing!
I was really hoping we'd hear him talk about True Lies.. :'(
But still VERY much enjoyed this!
yeah, literally the only other film he didn’t talk about :/
Hearing James Cameron talk just speaks to how intelligent and capable he is with cinema
@Aka
I agree with you, my main thought of him as a person who always chooses technical accomplishments over artistic merit....because he has the scientific ability...yet totally lacks the artistic excellence.
@Aka
I understand perfectly.
I have written five screenplays on my final draft software from2001-2014, several shopped around, 1 optioned, none produced sadly & my sister is a published novelist & active screenwriter (tv).
Cameron's dialogue is great in certain action (Aliens & parts of T1 & T2) terrible in Avatar & Titanic.
His characters are paper thin & usually quite 1 dimensional.
Cameron is a great conceptualizer of story & a poor writer of serious dialogue & serious characters.
he has spent half of his career writing the same paper thin, predictable, psycho/crazy/cool/or cocky marines, or SEALS (Abyss, Aliens, Avatar)in action flicks. It was cool 1 time, in Aliens.
His characters are poorly written, his attempts at serous dialogue (the 1 time he tried it in Titanic) is poor & clunky.
There is way worse than "poor", IMO.
Like Suicide Squad level awful...or Showgirls level horrific.
All of the best directors are cinephiles and have true KNOWLEDGE of filmmaking
@Gasper Militello does banging 2 chicks count??
@WindyClear
That is not true.
THe only movies he wrote himself were The Abyss, Titanic & Avatar.
It shows too because those have the worst writing of all his films.
-Terminator he wrote with Gale Ann Hurd, his first wife with additional writing by William Wisher
-Aliens was written by Cameron with DAvid Giler & Walter Hill, Based on the original film by Dan O Bannon & Ronald Shusett.
-Terminator 2 he wrote with William Wisher who helpd with T1
- True Lies was an adapted Screenplay by Cameron
Based on the 1991 french spy comedy film "La Totale!"
written by Claude Zidi (& directed by him)
& Simon Michaël & Didier Kaminka
Cameron is a great conceptualizer & technician but a very poor writer.
Not surprised a fever dream inspired one of the greatest pieces of entertainment media. T1 and T2 will go down in the history books for sure.
shoulda been a 2 parter
Terminator til this day blows my mind we need part 2 of Battle Across Time 🔥😎
Even though a lot of his movies are nearly 3 hours long, they feel more like 90 minutes because they're just so engaging. When you get to the end you want it to keep going.
I wonder if it's coincidence that like 95% of his movies either start with the letters, "T" or "A?"
Thank you James for letting us know that we can dream the biggest dreams of all. I’ll be back!
Oh , he really read Leo, did he. Great psychology. I loved Terminator 1 better than T2. It messes with your mind. Loved Aliens. Avatar was ...meh, it was more or less the same story as my favorite children book trilogy "children of mother earth"
James Cameron is beyond age and time! As I was watching this interview, I realized he’s just not just a genius but he has a knowledge of many lifetimes!