- James Cameron responded to criticism over his use of 3D and high frame rate in his upcoming film Avatar: Fire and Ashand its 2022 prequel
- He shared his thoughts in an interview with Discussing Film, saying bluntly: “I happen to like it, and it’s my movie.”
- In addition to this backlash, Cameron was the subject of a second copyright infringement lawsuit from fellow host Eric Ryder.
The third part of James Cameron Avatar film series, Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025), is due out this week, but the director has already received widespread criticism for his use of 3D, and a copyright infringement lawsuit has arisen at the same time.
In addition to highlighting the use of 3D, critics harshly criticized the film’s high frame rate, which some called “too weird”. Both Avatar: Fire and Ash and its prequel Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) use a staggering 48 frames per second, double the standard film frame rate of 24.
The billion-dollar director didn’t stay silent, however, giving a blunt and blunt response to the wave of backlash in an interview with Discussing Film, saying, “I think $2.3 billion indicates that you might be wrong on that.”
Cameron then added, “Well, that’s the argument from authority. But the argument from artistry is that I like it, and it’s my movie.”
James Cameron responds to criticism of his use of 3D and high frame rates in “AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH”: “I think $2.3 billion indicates that you might be wrong on that point. Well, that’s the argument from authority. But the argument from the artistic side is: I happen to like it, and it’s my movie.” pic.twitter.com/o7pwU5b9WYDecember 13, 2025
But that’s not the only scrutiny Cameron will face as he approaches his next blockbuster. Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse, a copyright infringement lawsuit comes along – and it’s not the first time Cameron has fallen victim to one.
Ryder vs. Cameron
On Monday, 3D animator Eric Ryder filed a lawsuit against Disney and Cameron, claiming he plagiarized his work in the second Avatar film. Avatar: The Way of Water.
This isn’t the first time Ryder has taken legal action against Cameron, however. In 2011, Ryder sued Cameron for similar reasons over the first part of the film, Avatar (2009), but the case was ultimately dismissed. According to its latest lawsuit, “This action is not an attempt to challenge prior claims” but “challenges new acts of copying occurring for the first time in Avatar 2.”
In Avatar: The Way of WaterRyder says his plot focuses on “harvesting an animal-derived substance that, when refined, can extend human life”, which he says was integral to his own storyline. KRZ idea but was not used for the first time Avatar movie.
While Cameron has criticized his use of 3D and high frame rate in his work, neither he nor Lightstorm Entertainment have released a statement regarding Ryder’s lawsuit.
Avatar: Fire and Ash will be released in American theaters on December 19, 2025. His first two films, Avatar (2009) and Avatar: The Way of Water, are available for streaming on Disney+.
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