Speaking to film writer Barry Hertz of Canada’s The Globe and Mail, the legendary director said that awards recognition is no longer a priority for him — especially when it comes to his blockbuster Avatar franchise.
“I don’t think about the Academy Awards that much,” Cameron said. “Intentionally, I don’t think about that at this point. I don’t try to make a movie to appeal to their sensibility.”
According to Cameron, sci-fi movies have long struggled to receive serious recognition at the Oscars, despite their scale, ambition, and cultural impact.
“They don’t tend to honor films like Avatar or films that are science fiction,” he added. “Sci-fi is almost never properly recognized.”
Cameron Slams Denis Villeneuve Snubs
Cameron backed up his argument by pointing to what many fans and critics consider major Oscar injustices — the Academy’s failure to nominate Denis Villeneuve for Best Director for Dune and Dune: Part Two.
“Denis Villeneuve made these two magnificent Dune films,” Cameron said, adding sarcastically that the movies must have “made themselves” since Villeneuve wasn’t recognized. He also noted that Villeneuve failed to receive acknowledgment even from the Directors Guild.
“You can play the awards game, or you can play the game I like to play,” Cameron said. “That’s to make movies people actually go to. Sorry!”
Cameron’s Oscar Legacy
Ironically, Cameron himself is one of the most successful filmmakers in Oscar history. His 1997 epic Titanic earned 14 nominations and won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
The film is tied with All About Eve and La La Land for the most nominations ever, and its 11 wins match the record held by Ben-Hur and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Josh Brolin’s Strong Reaction
Villeneuve’s Oscar snubs have sparked outrage across Hollywood. After the director was left out again for Dune: Part Two, actor Josh Brolin publicly vented his frustration.
“If he doesn’t get nominated this year, I’ll quit acting,” Brolin told Variety earlier this year. He praised Part Two as even better than the first film, calling it “masterful.”
When Villeneuve was once again excluded, Brolin doubled down with sarcasm.
“Apparently, I am going to quit acting because Denis Villeneuve didn’t get nominated,” he said. “It makes no sense to me.”
Despite the disappointment, Brolin congratulated the cast and crew and emphasized how proud he was to be part of the project.
A Bigger Debate About the Oscars
Cameron’s comments have reignited a long-running debate about whether the Academy truly values genre filmmaking. While sci-fi films often dominate the box office and push cinematic boundaries, they rarely receive top Oscar honors outside of technical categories.
For Cameron, the choice is clear: focus on making movies audiences love — not chasing trophies that may never come.
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