James Cameron Slams Oscars for Overlooking Sci-Fi Greats

James Cameron, a director known for his blockbuster hits, has made it clear he’s not fussed about the Academy Awards. It’s not sour grapes over his own lack of a personal Oscar for the Avatar series—he’s been nominated, just never taken home the statue. Instead, Cameron’s frustration comes from seeing another director, who he reckons deserved a nod, get overlooked.

His comments, shared on social media, cut straight to the point.

I don’t think about the Academy Awards that much intentionally. They don’t tend to honour sci-fi films. It’s almost never properly recognised.

He didn’t mince words when mentioning Denis Villeneuve, the bloke behind Dune and its sequel, who was left out of the running.

Denis Villeneuve made these 2 magnificent ‘Dune’ films. Apparently, these films made themselves because he wasn’t considered as a director.

Villeneuve’s Dune: Awards Galore, But No Director Nod

Back in 2021, Dune hit cinemas and set a new standard for what a big-screen adaptation could look like. Even though it’s based on a 1965 novel, the film drew crowds and raked in a tidy sum at the box office. The visuals, the camera work, and the sheer scale of Frank Herbert’s world were all brought to life by Villeneuve and his crew.

At the 2022 Academy Awards, Dune cleaned up, taking home six Oscars. The sequel added two more in 2025. But despite all that, Villeneuve didn’t even get a look-in for Best Director. Here’s what Dune: Part One managed to snag:

Best Achievement in Cinematography (Greig Fraser), Best Achievement in Film Editing (Joe Walker), Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) (Hans Zimmer), Best Achievement in Production Design (Patrice Vermette, Zsuzsanna Sipos), Best Achievement in Visual Effects (Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor, Gerd Nefzer), and Best Sound (Mac Ruth, Mark A. Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill, Ron Bartlett).

Still, Villeneuve was left out of the Best Director category for both films. He did get a nod as a producer for Best Motion Picture of the Year, but Cameron’s point stands—sci-fi directors just aren’t getting their due.

Should Cameron’s Avatar Get More Recognition?

So, does Cameron himself deserve an Oscar for his work on Avatar? Many would say yes. While the franchise might not have had the biggest impact on pop culture, there’s no denying Cameron changed the game with his approach to filmmaking.

His vision of Pandora is something else—lush, original, and a bit of a breath of fresh air. The stories tap into themes of humility and the power of nature, all wrapped up in stunning visuals. As both writer and director, Cameron’s managed to strike a chord with punters, offering a world where you can forget about the daily grind for a while.

Avatar has picked up its fair share of technical Oscars, but maybe it’s time the bloke behind it all got a bit more recognition. Sixteen years on from the original, the films are still drawing crowds, and Cameron’s work remains as relevant as ever.

What’s Next for Avatar and Sci-Fi at the Oscars?

With Avatar: Fire and Ash now showing in cinemas across the US, the conversation about sci-fi’s place at the Oscars isn’t going away. Cameron’s comments have sparked fresh debate about what kinds of films the Academy chooses to honour—and whether it’s time for a change.

Do you reckon Cameron should finally get his Oscar for Avatar? Or is the Academy just not keen on giving sci-fi its moment in the spotlight? Let us know what you think.