James Cameron & Robert Rodriguez | Directors on Directors

James Cameron is flanked by towering trees and lush, dreamlike vistas. No, the “Avatar” director isn’t dialing in from Pandora, he assures Robert Rodriguez. It’s just a screen saver, meant to enliven whatever drab editing bay he’s in, putting the final touches, this November afternoon, on “Avatar: The Way of Water,” his long-gestating sequel to the 2009 blockbuster that introduced the world to the way of the Na’vi. The two men are old friends - having worked together on the sci-fi adventure “Alita: Battle Angel,” which Rodriguez directed and Cameron produced - and clearly have a lot of respect for one another.
Variety Directors on Directors presented by MGM Studios and United Artists Releasing
bit.ly/VarietySubscribe
/ variety
/ variety
/ variety

[@ajtaylor8750]

Their friendship shines through in this interview. There's deep admiration for James Cameron by Robert Rodriguez and I love that Cameron passed on directing "Alita: Battle Angel" and gave it to his dear friend. Let's get that sequel going.

[@cable7152]

Alita was great, needs a sequel

[@jaredburke9445]

Let's be honest...Rod Rodriguez is trying to shoe in directing Avatar 6 and 7..I'm calling it now.

[@zombieno1]

J.C. wore an Alita shirt while filming Avatar. That was his baby and he trusted R.R. with it.

[@marko6947]

nah it was trash

[@miguelrosado6348]

Of course there is. It's like a cover rock band talking with the Rolling Stones, or a rookie talking to LeBron James. 🤣They are miles away from each other in terms of what they have achieved in their careers.

[@damaniqphillip2756]

We need ALITA sequel

[@theuniversewithin74]

Alita was froopin amazing, esp in 3D. Wish they just went for it and paid for it themselves.

[@user-xd7mk2xz2h]

Then make sure Avatar 2 crosses $1 billion at the box office.

[@ReflexEight]

These two literally made a blood oath to make a sequel lol

[@zairman]

@@user-xd7mk2xz2h Done :D

[@user-xd7mk2xz2h]

@@zairman Let's make it $2 billon.

[@Ruleof2Review]

Alita. 2. We. Need. It. To. Happen. Let’s. GOOOOOOO!

[@craigo5030]

It can wait, loved Alita, but Avatar 3-4 comes first

[@stagename2]

Alita Battle Angel 2!!! Let’s make it happen.

[@patriciogarces4980]

dude I need more alita

[@Jeffersonmorant.]

I can relate😅

[@dhruvurs9890]

I hope that these two will be able to make a sequel to Alita: Battle Angel!! It was so stunning!! The part at the end was a cliffhanger and we want to see Alita’s journey!!

[@henrydiaz5173]

Agreed

[@AlexGarcia-ze4yg]

Yes.

[@zombieno1]

They have to. There's plenty of fans and more are finding out about it every day. The 1/1 Q.S. Bust is amazing.

[@marko6947]

it was garbage

[@dhruvurs9890]

@@marko6947 your opinion!!

[@yanndick]

We all need "Alita: Battle Angel" second part !!!

[@dvlarry]

Another ALITA film? YES! Please.

[@jamiebellamy8407]

Another Alita film would be a treat!

[@aleksander-white]

I think an amazing roundtable would be between directors who've shot multiple movies at once, ie: Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Gore Verbinski, etc. It would be amazing to hear their input about working on massive projects for an extended period of time

[@blackbox2012bigmars]

... and then Ilya Khrzhanovsky walks in!

[@jesseswarbrick7895]

Robert Zemeckis aswell

[@mnomadvfx]

Peter Jackson is no longer who we once was. Mortal Engines was nothing special at all considering the book franchise he abandoned to make it had so much more potential - especially in light of the dragons/fantasy interest sparked by Game of Thrones.

[@obscure.reference]

i’d like directors who openly shit on movies. like, scorcese and david lynch to talk about watching marvel on iphones.

[@ohmalternative3436]

Spielberg was making Jurassic Park and Schindler's List simultaneously at some point in 1993.

[@justsaiyansteve]

I like how JamesCameron just casually says he built a sub and went to the bottom of the ocean. lmao, what a legend.

[@alexanderclaylavin]

I swear, about twenty minutes into Alita: Battle Angel I was admiring the economically sketched cinematic universe and action-based characterization, and how effectively the drama utilized all these features... and I thought, "Did James Cameron write this?"

[@dr.j6506]

We need Alita part 2 and 3!!

[@Major98]

Love how James Cameron keeps bringing up Alita. Such a dope movie these two worked together on

[@jesseramirez9062]

@@LucasCreativeTech trash ass take. Plz elaborate

[@robertmason9465]

I Saw Avatar The Way Of Water in IMAX 3D today. Wow what a amazing film, from drama to acting set design, seeing it with a sold out audience all having this unforgettable experience. Cannot wait to go watch it again. Going to the Movie Theater is alive and well. This is another reason why we must continue to support going out to the movies seeing them as the directors and producers intended.

[@Netsuko]

I seriously hope we get a sequel to Alita. The movie was so good.

[@hakejo]

I could listen to James Cameron talk all day!

[@elichilton7031]

It's always great to hear James Cameron break down the process and communicate it clearly and succinctly. And to watch and listen to the rapport between Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron is terrific.

[@abdallaaa]

Yesssss! Let’s make another Alita filmmm!

[@thejoeyjoey]

we need more Alita Battle Angel movies and more avatar!!!!!!!

[@InvisibleMag]

Yes! another Alita 🙌

[@djwilliams1749]

Two of the best...

[@isamuominae]

We NEED Alita once again!

[@dark4krad]

I want another Alita film please! 😭

[@meditationmountainbyrishab919]

Film Directors rather than being lone wolfs, should be like college pals encouraging & supporting each others visions, thats the crux of how it should be just not in the cinema industry but life in general, well said James. Loved the interview, Thank you James, Robert and Variety!

[@LucasC2022]

Oh my god make Alita Battle Angel 2 please.

[@YaraBoussaadia]

Having seen The Way of Water today, Mr. Cameron deserves Oscars for Avatar 3,4 and 5 already! Just because part 2 is so amazing and beautiful. He did it again! He made lightning struck twice. Even brighter and louder then the first time. Really hope he wins Best Director.

[@Jeffersonmorant.]

Truly spoken

[@adriantrusca1245]

It's just a tech demo. Great looking, and that's it. The story is sooo generic. Revenge plot done a million times before. 3 hours and 12 minutes? Really? The entire film is "take a look at this, see how great it looks?".

[@markbartoszek8585]

@@adriantrusca1245 I wholeheartedly agree! The praise and criticism I had for Avatar remains the same for Way of Water. Amazing visual spectacle, but the narrative is bare-bones and lacking in interesting direction. Furthermore, the extensive world-building shots were something that should've been reserved for an extended cut. I understand Cameron's desire to immerse audiences in this world, but he also has to consider the pacing and rhythm of the story, something more and more filmmakers are neglecting.

[@Jushwa]

YESSS we need Alita 2 badly

[@ianmillerdevilsfan1223]

James Cameron is so captivating to watch when he is talking, he is talking about the weirdest stuff but everything he says is sincere and he genuinely believes in it.

[@johnathonkelly5117]

Robert Rodriguez really worked his way up in the film world from the extremely low budget yet excellent El Miriachi to Alita. He's so creative it's crazy. I'd love another Sin City, Alita, Machete or andother addition to the Mexico trilogy. Even something completely original it doesn't matter you know it'll be good

[@4Everlast]

I'm sorry to say besides Desperado, I haven't seen much good he's done without someone else carrying him through it. Sin City had freaking Tarantino on it and Miller guy, the writer, El Mariachi was Desperado light, and just a low budget Desperado, Machete was a, by Desperado standards absolute shit-show, but if you want pure brainless fun, it IS fun tho. Alita works more then well as anime, turning it live action with anime style detracts from richness of the anime and detracts from realism, cause there was none. 😑🤨 I'll check out everything he does JUST cause he made Desperado, but otherwise... It's rough. And the way he wasted Gibson's uber-talent was down right criminal.

[@spaceghostcqc2137]

@@4Everlast idk I actually liked the movie more than the anime OVA adaptation from the 90s. I just felt like the fx made the action come alive and acting did a nice job bringing these super off-beat characters to a place that was relatable to western audiences. The manga (while awesome) is a really tough thing to try and adapt into a Hollywood blockbuster though. Still hoping to see Ed Norton's Desty Nova in an R rated sequel.

[@4Everlast]

@@spaceghostcqc2137 I mean, there's plenty to like. The character is easy to feel for, but they should off went full on practical(like Ghost in the shell) or full CGI animated, as it is animated 90% of the time. Norton had a Stallone in Spy kids 3-D vibe to him, visually. I'm always in for an R rated thing if done well. Personally really enjoyed Mortal engines as the closest thing to a live anime I've seen, tremendous ride, but it feels like it's the last movie in a massive trilogy.

[@DavidBerglund]

I watched this (on 2x speed) with the hope that James would ask Robert some questions and let him talk. Too bad this was all about James. Rob's movies are so playful and fun to watch. He and his teams are really creative and his early work is what got me interested in filmmaking initially. Which is not to say that James is not extremely creative and capable, he obviously is. But Avatar really isn't for me. Hard to suspend my disbelief of these CGI heavy worlds. I look to Nolan for my big budget Hollywood escapes.

[@4Everlast]

@@DavidBerglund Really? Even with the new Avatar it's hard for you to connect? This universe is the closest CGI world to an actual real life one. But yes, Nolan and Cameron are making must-see films for sure. Nolan said he's got something up his sleeve for a Bond film, but I can't even imagine wtf could that be after Tenet, it was as close as you can get of making a Bond film without being a Bond film, what could his Bond possibly stand against if we had freaking realistic time travel in Tenet? How do you out do that?

[@lseeing1659]

I just returned from watching Avatar and let me honestly tell you I was left in AWE! I knew it was gonna be a visual spectacle but the whole thing was mind-blowing and the story quite emotional 👏🏼🤍 I left the theatre thinking "I want to watch it again" and I definitely will.

[@paulsmith9192]

@L Seeing I heard alot are complaining about the dialogue and story

[@PEPSIMAX2013]

i just saw all the 2000-2015 movies from Robert again and i left my sofa with an action boner for a non stop aftermath craze

[@scottf5791]

Your one of them I see

[@izumolee6714]

@@paulsmith9192 dialogue is subjective and the story is simple so anyone of any age can understand yet its made out to be a negative. These reviewers who criticize the writing & saying James Cameron is a poor storyteller honestly forgot he wrote Terminator, T2, Aliens, True Lies, Titanic etc.....oh wow James can't write stories....that's a load of BS.

[@visions_of_noah]

@@paulsmith9192 I think the dialogue was fine but the story isn’t just simple it’s really going in the wrong direction and is overall cheap

[@zzzzzz69]

Fans of the first Avatar are probably parents now, so well played

[@AlitaMovieUpdates]

Woo. More Alita!

[@Marialeovenus]

“It’s a different level of commitment but what you get is a different level of impact.” I saw this movie and felt completely immersed and enamored by this story. It touches on a myriad of topics and shows so many peoples reality through James’ one of a kind lens. Please watch this in theatres!!!!

[@CylusDdembe]

Had to watch it yesterday it was all he says, sooo wonderful

[@Marialeovenus]

@@CylusDdembe yes!!!!

[@TheGigetto98]

Watch it in 3D! It's such a wonderful experience. Can't wait to go see it again

[@spaceghostcqc2137]

This is the one movie where 3D is worth it.

[@purplealchemistofficial]

I like how Cameron’s blue aesthetic compliments the movie he’s promoting.

[@MyNameIsRow01]

it's the planet from Avatar....

[@ezekel.4656]

ALITA 2 please!!

[@theuniversewithin74]

I feel like this is the first time Cameron released the Special Edition straight to theatres. Now he better release the Ultra Edition in 4K next spring. Or even better, in theatres. Fingers crossed. ❤️

[@Sherdz2002]

I love both Directors, They have done so much in cinema and both of them have worked with great actors through the years.

[@finrod8432]

I'm gonna call it right now. The avatar franchise is gonna be just as iconic and beloved as lotr and star wars by the end of these movies. They are why we love film, because we are literally transported to alien worlds while still feeling human!!!

[@quinto190]

Alita 2 yesss... Alita was the best movie of the year 2019 in my opinion. It didn't get the recognition that it deserved, at least from the critics. I really hope the studio agrees to continue this story.

[@eddiecardwell]

I would’ve loved to see James Cameron do a trilogy for Mass Effect. His take on a world that’s similar to Star Wars with its own world and stories. Respect to Robert for coming on to support his friend/idol.

[@cable7152]

Or Dead Space, either would be great for him

[@MrBizaaro]

James is probably too old for a new trilogy now.. but maybe Nolan? JJ?

[@Frontigenics]

That would be great... but unfortunately they're going to ruin something like Mass Effect if they ever adapt it. They NEED someone like Rodriguez to do it, but who they'll ACTUALLY hire is underqualified female directors for "eQuAliTy" and it'll be awful.

[@dariofromthefuture3075]

YOU ARE A GENIUS. YES

[@loganjeffries6269]

This James Cameron Guy is gonna be a huge Star one of these days!

[@TheElectricMayhem]

Next year, Noted environmentalist James Francis Cameron will discover a biofuel from the deep abyss of the ocean that will revolutionize the way we power everything.

[@LordSesshaku]

I'm all in for an Alita 2.

[@TheJohnWhites]

Alita Totally Rules

[@DelightLovesMovies]

Yes please make another Alita film. I really loved the first one.

[@cable7152]

Can't wait for Vin Diesel to show up on Pandora with some Coronas and a grill to cook up some burgers and dogs on, FAMILY!

[@toptrends88]

Hell yeah! We are getting another Alita movie. Been waiting for that one too.

[@Kanoog]

This movie didn't disappoint not even close, I watched the behind the scenes after I got home. I had no clue the water was even CGI, it's that line being crossed when you can't tell what is real and what isn't.... it'll drive you crazy, so you'll end up in Arkham Asylum next to the Scarecrow.

[@Vladdie777]

#AlitaSequel let's go!!! Amazing to see these two legends talking!

[@christiansimon9182]

Hehe, nice to see you again :D And I agree :3

[@jamalej65]

he's a great communicator James is...., mr. rodriguez thx for the simple questions.....two incredible guys just talking....just like someone said below we need a round table like this of all the great directors, cameraman, vfx etc..etc...great job guys

[@Boshuda1977]

I love this! 😁👍 Film nerds geeking out about their craft! Saw the movie yesterday at an IMAX 3D showing and the immersive experience is unsurpassed. These films are made to be seen in the cinema! I shall be watching it again in the same manner. It broke me and made me air punch at the same time...fantastic! I cared about the characters and the world.

[@EvanLarimore]

I need 10 more hours of this thanks.

[@montybrewster7]

Please DO make another alita film gents. It was a huge disappointment to me that we never got to continue that story. I loved it.

[@AdamWhiteside]

Alita 2, heard it here first. Yeah!

[@capsjukebox]

I really would like to see Robert Rodriguez show up as a Na’vi in one of the Avatar sequels

[@rafaelc.c.]

I appreciate Rodriguez values the story of the film so much. Ir seems people talk too much about the spectacle and forget about the story.

[@lpz123]

ALITA!!!!!

[@Proveloski]

I'd love a roundtable of James Cameron, Christopher Nolan and Michael Bay. Cameron is an expert in both but now mainly the CGI master. Bay the king of mixing CGI and practical, where Nolan is fully in on practical fx. Nolan talking about practical effects and great storytelling will be great for a conversation with Bay about story vs spectical. These are legends in the scene with completely different approaches and perspectives on filmmaking and storytelling.

[@mnomadvfx]

"where Nolan is fully in on practical fx" Yes and no. He will use practical fx anywhere it is feasible. But he has used CG before and will continue to do so. His use of CG VFX is how it should be - a support to increase immersion rather than create it from scratch.

[@Proveloski]

@@mnomadvfx If it can't be done real, he uses CGI. This is exactly why it would be an amazing conversation.

[@crazedzealots]

James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, George Lucas, and Zack Snyder.

[@southlondon86]

“Bay the king of mixing CGI & practical” Brah what are you smoking? Cameron proved with Aliens & T2 he is the king of that.

[@kingjacob424]

@@southlondon86add Steven Spielberg too with Jurassic Park

[@raymundodelacruz5173]

I love how James Cameron refuses to stop pushing the boundaries of film making. You can see that he doesn't just love movies he's obsessed with them.

[@trevortimmermans6457]

From Dusk Till Dawn and T2 are some of my favorite 90s movies

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

I love to see these 2 again working together, hope Alita 2 be on the way if Avatar the Way of Water do well....and btw............holly cow WHAT A MOVIE....I saw it last night and it blow me away, I need the third now, and please not take 14 years to do so Mr. Cameron XD.

[@ryanhill5137]

Great conversation, and it's lovely to see two directors supporting each other's work and having a true friendship.

[@DaringDomino3s]

Rover Rodriguez articulated so well the things I actually enjoyed about the recent Avatar. I thought James Cameron had lost his mind putting so much into this property, but it’s really worth it. Just gotta get the people in the seats.

[@DDavEE]

I’d love to see them make another Alita film. I regret waiting until it came out on home video to see it. I really enjoyed the movie a lot. Disney, if you are listening, I will go to the movies to see it’s sequel!

[@rosswalker3457]

Fantastic episode.👏👏 Another Alita ? Yes please Gentlemen 👍👌

[@Jeffersonmorant.]

Loved his sense of humor

[@brightstonepictures]

Anopther ALITA film! Producer Jon Landau says they started talking about it...

[@tsenam3247]

Long live sir Cameron n keep entertaining the world with ur outstanding masterpieces💓💓💓👌🙏👍👏⭐️

[@eglantinepapeau1582]

two very talented, innovative directors that i respect so much 👍

[@emiliej7952]

Amazing interview thank you ! I’m so in love with this movie

[@christiandebney1989]

I want to see that extra half an hour. Such a Stunning film.

[@Joecbg100]

Give some of your money to make Alita, Cameron

[@Czechbound]

Great to see Mr. Cameron in good spirits and full of positivity ( and many sent by Mr. Rodrigez ). He appears to have mellowed somewhat from previous reports of a prickly demeanour. Growing as a person is a daily experience for all of us. And *great* that we'll get another Alita !

[@eyespy3001]

I get the feeling that he is genuinely a nice guy, but determined and exacting when it comes to his work. When you get such a clear vision in your head down to minute details, you have to be a little pushy to have it realized by other people.

[@Czechbound]

@@eyespy3001 Yes. But he's a project worker at the end of the day. If you took his approach in an office context, you'd be bounced out very quickly. I'm sure a lot of Cameron's key team stay with him. But there's the cache of being in his orbit that doesn't translate into an ordinary office context. I've worked around good people who had his personality type when it came to moving an agenda in an office context, and they were all moved on ( even CEO's I worked with ). You have to calibrate your approach and timetable to the resources that you have, and change them out over time. A big bang, and all guns blazing will just get your fired. Can't wait to see his movie !

[@roachmasta189]

i could watch them talk for hours

[@charoleawood]

ALITA!!

[@N.M.T.K]

I really appreciate the interview because I'm a student for filming. Thank very much. James Cameron's attention to details are incredible.

[@ccan_max5285]

Directors and actors interviewing each other. Pretty cool.

[@strangerthanfiction4014]

Gotta see wow at least 3 Times, i just realized i never looked too close at the creatures and tech, as it Was just THERE. Great stuff.

[@notosapien]

Another Alita movie, yes please...

[@kozebear8337]

You guys are the Goats🐐. Avatar the way of water is extraordinary action packed movie and i would recommend it to everyone. Now that Disney has merged with Fox, when will we see Alita Battle Angel 2? Cant wait to see, because Alita was my favorite movie of the year. such a compelling story with that cliff hanger at the end. Need to see what happens next.

[@ethanholgate2512]

9:00 I'm calling it now that's gonna be the extended cut

[@kelownatechkid]

Loving these interviews!

[@12Cooper]

James Cameron in a motocross jersey. Dude won a new fan

[@vicmatthews7747]

That’s all he ever wears.

[@trolley4388]

He’s wearing that since 1918

[@roger72715]

The awe-inspiring and unbelievable 3rd act.

[@Immy_Islam786]

James only has a few people in the industry he can really call real friends. One of them is Arnold and the other is Robert Rodriguez.

[@bintangrizkyutama7909]

YES ANOTHER ALITA MOVIE!!!!!!!

[@raymondseye]

What an incredible interview. The movie was a total blast!

[@Dunkakino]

Two of my favorite filmmakers ever. Thank you for pairing them. Such a fantastic interview!

[@recstuf]

I hope they do another Alita movie soon

[@maggihatesyouxo]

Obsessed with James Cameron, this is so interesting!! 😍

[@Jeffersonmorant.]

Same here😅

[@DialloMoore503]

I’ve been a fan of him since the early 90s.

[@Jeffersonmorant.]

@@DialloMoore503 funny we’re in thesame page…I’m a die hard fan also

[@EpicScreenReviews]

This was so great. I'm fired up to go and watch both Avatar movies again.

[@Juice-chan]

And at the end they are teasing the Alita Sequel.

[@Orcishihi]

I watched this while doing my (somewhat tedious) job. Man this was inspiring!

[@etbadaboum]

You feel that Cameron is truly free as a director and just free as a man

[@BeauHenri]

James Cameron wearing a fox racing jersey is life

[@theotherjake]

Big things in the future for this Jimmy Cameron

[@eddiecardwell]

For all of JC’s movies, it’s crazy he never went after any A-list actors. Leo was basically an unknown before Titanic. Arnold too as an actor for Terminator. He could’ve got anyone for Avatar’s lead or villain.

[@JoshLange3D]

I think because he saw how well it worked for Lucas and he knew he could really use the budget savings for all the VFX he would rely on.

[@feilongfan]

this kind of movie doesn’t need A-list lead or villain, the ones it has serve the purpose.

[@jammiedodger]

He famously offered Avatar to Matt Damon plus 10% of the profits

[@mnomadvfx]

Virtually an unknown? Inventing history now are we? DiCaprio made his mark already in 1996's Romeo and Juliet that also launched the career of Claire Danes. Point of fact LDC probably got hired for Titanic precisely because of his role as Romeo. "He could’ve got anyone for Avatar’s lead or villain" He didn't pick an unknown - Stephen Lang was one of his choices for Apone when casting Aliens and had many movies under his belt by the time Avatar came around. To this day he's still one of the most memorable roles in Tombstone. "it’s crazy he never went after any A-list actors" Well you know - except for Sigourney Weaver herself. Alien made her an A lister from the get go and she would have garnered a much higher contract price by the time Aliens went into production. Also Arnold was in Conan the Barbarian in 1982, and then it's sequel Conan the Destroyer months before The Terminator was released in 1984, so it's not like Jim Cameron picked him off the streets - he was already the lead actor in a 2 film fantasy franchise.

[@andrewnaranjo6514]

The thing is though if the movie were to have A-list actors you wouldn’t really notice since odd are they’d be Avatars. Kate Winslet was in the new movie and a lot of movie had no idea until researching the cast after watching it and I’d consider her an A-lister

[@THEJOHNiVERSE]

Avatar 2 looks amazing, and thanks to this video we get another "Alita" film? Awesome.

[@mnomadvfx]

Thanks to this video? I doubt it.

[@mrinmaychakravarty]

James Cameron is Genius

[@robertmason9465]

this interview was very informative hearing from the man James Cameron the process it takes to make the movie

[@zacegan1]

Yes Alita 2 please!! 🦾