James Cameron Fires Back at Avatar: Fire and Ash Critics

James Cameron has never been one to shy away from shaking things up in the film world. Known for pushing boundaries, he’s once again at the centre of attention with the latest Avatar instalment, Fire and Ash. The first Avatar flick brought 3D to the mainstream, and now Cameron’s upping the ante with a higher frame rate than punters have seen before. As with any new tech, there’s always a bit of a stir—some love it, some reckon it’s not their cup of tea. Cameron, though, isn’t having a bar of the criticism.

Taking on the Critics

During a chat with DiscussingFilm, Cameron didn’t mince words when asked about the backlash over the higher frame rate in Fire and Ash. Referencing the massive box office haul of Avatar: The Way of Water, he quipped,

I think $2.3 billion says you might be wrong on that.

He went on to add,

Well, that’s the argument from authority. But the argument from artistic is: I happen to like it, and it’s my movie.

Cameron’s not just about the numbers, though—he’s keen on the technical side, explaining how the new approach smooths out the 3D experience and makes everything feel more lifelike.

For those not across the details, The Way of Water used high frame rate (HFR) tech to boost the sense of immersion. Most films run at 24 frames per second, but Cameron’s Avatar outings double that to 48 for much of the runtime. The result? Scenes that look and feel more real, at least in his eyes.

Family Front and Centre

With anticipation building for the next chapter, Cameron’s been open about what’s driving the story this time around. In an online press conference, he shared that the heart of Fire and Ash is all about family.

I’ve chosen to tell a story about family because I have a family. I have five children. I’m just going to put all that on Pandora. I’m going to put it in this fantastic realm, because I believe that anywhere around the world, people will be able to relate to those issues and those conflicts and those characters.

Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña are back as Jake Sully and Neytiri, with the story set to follow their family’s next big challenge—and the grief that comes with it.

Fighting for the Franchise

Fans can’t get enough of the Na’vi, but getting more Avatar films on the slate wasn’t a walk in the park. Cameron had to go into bat for a fifth entry after deciding to split the second film into two, which led to the creation of Fire and Ash. The studio wasn’t sold on the idea at first, but Cameron had a classic comeback:

My counterargument was, ‘Wait a minute. What part of you getting another chance to make $2 billion is in question here?

It’s clear he’s not afraid to stand his ground when it comes to his vision.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to hit cinemas on 19 December 2025. Let us know if you’re keen to see what Cameron’s cooked up this time.