James Cameron Claims He Penned Point Break Without Credit
James Cameron opens up about his uncredited work on a classic action film, his collaboration with Kathryn Bigelow, and the personal fallout that followed. Discover the behind-the-scenes drama that shaped two iconic careers.
Not everyone realises that the bloke behind Avatar: Fire and Ash, James Cameron, was once married to Kathryn Bigelow, the director of A House of Dynamite. While their relationship is hardly a secret, what’s less well-known is Cameron’s claim that he wrote the entire story for the 1991 action-thriller Point Break, starring Keanu Reeves. In a recent chat, Cameron didn’t mince words about his lack of official recognition for the script.
Uncredited Work and Industry Frustrations
Officially, W. Peter Iliff is listed as the screenwriter for Point Break. But Cameron insists the credit should be his, saying he was left out by the Writers Guild.
I wrote Point Break. I flat out got stiffed by the Writers Guild on that. It was bullsh-t.
This isn’t the first time Bigelow directed a film with Cameron’s writing behind it, but it’s certainly the one that’s sparked the most debate about who deserves the nod.
Collaborations Beyond Point Break
Point Break isn’t the only project where Cameron and Bigelow teamed up. In 1995, Bigelow directed Strange Days, a sci-fi flick that didn’t get heaps of attention at the time. This time, Cameron was officially credited for the script. The pair’s professional partnership overlapped with their personal lives—they tied the knot in 1989 and split in 1991, the same year Point Break hit cinemas and Cameron’s own Terminator 2: Judgement Day was released. Both films did well at the box office and have since become cult favourites.
Point Break, directed by Bigelow and featuring Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, and Lori Petty, premiered on 12 July 1991. It scored a 7.3/10 on IMDb and a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, pulling in $83 million worldwide. The film was produced by 20th Century Studios and is currently available to stream on Peacock.
Personal Fallout and Career Moves
The timing of Point Break’s release coincided with the end of Cameron and Bigelow’s marriage. Their split, just before the premiere of Terminator 2, was reportedly due to both prioritising their careers over their relationship. With both directors juggling demanding projects, it’s not surprising they chose to focus on their work. Since then, each has carved out a remarkable path in the industry, with Bigelow going on to direct The Hurt Locker and Cameron continuing to break new ground with the Avatar series.
Some reckon the pair might have made it work if they’d put less energy into their films and more into their marriage, but that’s all water under the bridge now. For those keen to revisit Cameron’s blockbuster, Terminator 2: Judgement Day is streaming on Netflix in the US.