James Cameron is responsible for some of modern science fiction’s best movies, and he’s soon to be educating us all on the history of the genre in a new documentary series. Generally, when Cameron talks, sci-fi fans listen, but the director’s latest comments might divide the genre’s fans right down the middle.
With Aliens, Cameron achieved the rare feat of creating a sequel that equaled its predecessor in just about every department. Most fans of the franchise will agree that things generally went downhill from there, but with Ridley Scott looking to get back to the franchise’s terrifying origins with Alien: Covenant, there’s generally a lot more optimism among fans. Unfortunately, James Cameron doesn’t share that optimism, admitting in an interview with Vulture that he’s not a fan of where the franchise is at right now.
“The franchise has kind of wandered all over the map,” said Cameron. “Ridley [Scott] did the first film, and he inspired an entire generation of filmmakers and science-fiction fans with that one movie and there have been so many films that stylistically have derived from it, including my own Aliens, which was the legitimate sequel and, I think, the proper heir to his film. I sort of did it as a fanboy. I wanted to honor his film, but also say what I needed to say. After that, I don’t take any responsibility.
“I don’t think it’s worked out terribly well. I think we’ve moved on beyond it. It’s like, okay, we’ve got it, we’ve got the whole Freudian biomechanoid meme. I’ve seen it in 100 horror films since. I think both of those films stand at a certain point in time, as a reference point. But is there any validity to doing another one now? I don’t know. Maybe. Let’s see, jury’s out. Let’s see what Ridley comes up with.”
But, before we all get our nerdy panties in a twist, Cameron is quick to clarify that his comments aren’t necessarily an indictment of Ridley Scott.
Let me just add to that — and don’t cut this part off, please — I will stand in line for any Ridley Scott movie, even a not-so-great one, because he is such an artist, he’s such a filmmaker. I always learn from him. And what he does with going back to his own franchise would be fascinating.
These comments will no doubt rattle a lot of people, especially given the optimism surrounding the franchise right now. Check out the full interview to get his thoughts on everything from the lost city of Atlantis to the state of America. It really just sounds like he needs a bit of cheering up.
What do you think about Cameron’s comments? Let us know in the box below.
Alien: Covenant is released in theaters on May 19th.
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox
