Acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron has publicly addressed a decade-old joke made at his expense by comedian Amy Poehler, stating it crossed a line and revealed uncomfortable truths about his reputation in Hollywood.
A Decade-Old Dig Resurfaces
The incident occurred at the 2013 Golden Globes ceremony, where Poehler, while hosting, commented on the controversy surrounding torture scenes in Kathryn Bigelow's film Zero Dark Thirty. Bigelow, who was nominated that night, was Cameron's wife from 1989 to 1991.
Poehler quipped: "When it comes to torture, I trust the lady who spent three years married to James Cameron." The joke, which played on Cameron's well-documented reputation as a demanding perfectionist, drew laughter from the audience.
Now, in a new interview with The New York Times, the 71-year-old director of Titanic and the Avatar franchise has expressed his lasting disappointment. "Amy Poehler’s remark was an ignorant dig at an event which is supposed to be a celebration of cinema and filmmakers, not a roast," Cameron stated.
More Than a Joke: A Reflection of Reputation
Cameron, whose latest film Avatar: Fire and Ash is currently in cinemas, emphasised that his issue lies not just with the joke but with the reaction it garnered. "I’m pretty thick-skinned and happy to be the butt of a good-natured joke, but that went too far," he explained. "The fact that people found it funny shows exactly what they think of me, even though they have no idea who I am or how I work."
The director's exacting nature on set is legendary. Kate Winslet, who starred in Titanic, once said he had "a temper like you wouldn't believe", while Sam Worthington from Avatar claimed Cameron would nail a ringing mobile phone to the wall with a nailgun.
However, Cameron has previously defended his methods as passionate and theatrical rather than purely volatile. He told The Independent in 2013 that such acts were "calculated" and pointed to the loyalty of collaborators who return film after film as proof he "can't be that bad".
Evolution and Legacy
Cameron admitted that earlier in his career, he may have played up to the "image of what a filmmaker was supposed to be", compounded by the pressures of tight budgets. He concedes he might have been "difficult" but asserts his character has "evolved" and that "there's no room for that kind of behaviour" now.
His professional relationship with Bigelow remained supportive. In 2009, they were both nominated for the Best Director Oscar for Avatar and The Hurt Locker respectively. Cameron recalled being concerned the "meta-narrative" about their past marriage would detract from Bigelow's achievement, but was the first to applaud when she won.
Cameron's box office dominance is undeniable, with three of his films—Titanic, Avatar, and Avatar: The Way of Water—ranking among the top five highest-grossing films in history. He has been married to Suzy Amis Cameron since 2000.
The Independent has reached out to Amy Poehler for comment regarding Cameron's recent statements.
