Acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron has broken his silence on a joke made at his expense over a decade ago, delivering a sharp rebuke to comedian Amy Poehler. The 71-year-old director, whose latest blockbuster Avatar: Fire And Ash has just stormed the global box office, labelled Poehler's 2013 Golden Globes quip an 'ignorant dig' that crossed a line.
A Joke That Lingered for 13 Years
The incident dates back to the 2013 Golden Globes ceremony, hosted by Poehler alongside Tina Fey. During their opening monologue, Poehler made a quip linking Cameron's ex-wife, director Kathryn Bigelow, to the subject of torture. Bigelow's film Zero Dark Thirty, which depicted torture, was nominated that night. Poehler joked: 'When it comes to torture, I trust the lady who spent three years married to James Cameron.'
Now, in a new interview with The New York Times, Cameron has expressed his long-held displeasure. '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,' he stated. Despite describing himself as 'pretty thick-skinned' and happy to be the subject of good-natured humour, Cameron insisted 'that went too far.'
He reflected on the audience's reaction at the time, noting the mix of uproarious laughter and shock. '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,' Cameron added.
Clarifying the Bigelow Dynamic and Damon's Avatar Myth
Cameron used the interview to shed light on his enduring professional relationship with Kathryn Bigelow, to whom he was married from 1989 to 1991. He recalled supporting her when she beat his film Avatar to win Best Director for The Hurt Locker at the 2010 Oscars. 'I was the first one on my feet applauding,' he said, praising her as a 'remarkable person.' He revealed they still advise each other on projects.
In the same wide-ranging discussion, Cameron also addressed a long-running Hollywood anecdote involving Matt Damon. The actor has repeatedly claimed he turned down the lead role of Jake Sully in 2009's Avatar, missing out on a share of profits that would have netted him around $290 million.
Cameron firmly set the record straight: 'He was never offered the part.' He explained there was a phone conversation about Damon's interest, but a scheduling conflict with a Jason Bourne film arose. 'There was never a deal. We never talked about the character... It was simply an availability issue,' the director clarified. He humorously added, 'Matt, it's okay, buddy! You didn't miss anything.'
Avatar's Unstoppable Box Office March
Cameron's comments come as his cinematic empire continues to dominate. Avatar: Fire And Ash, the third film in the saga, has opened with a staggering $345 million in worldwide ticket sales in its first weekend. This includes $88 million domestically and $257 million internationally, marking the second-biggest global debut of the year.
With a reported budget exceeding $400 million, the film's strong start puts Cameron on course to break yet more box office records. The original Avatar remains the highest-grossing film of all time, having raked in $2.9 billion globally. Two further sequels are planned for release in 2029 and 2031.
