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James Cameron Criticizes Oscars’ Treatment of Sci‑Fi, Citing Villeneuve’s Dune Snubs

He argues the Academy recognizes sci‑fi for craft, not for directing.

Overview

  • Cameron told The Globe and Mail he intentionally does not make films to appeal to the Academy, saying he prefers to “make movies people actually go to.”
  • He pointed to Denis Villeneuve’s absence from Best Director for both Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two, despite Best Picture nominations and a haul of technical Oscars, and noted that Villeneuve wasn’t recognized by the Directors Guild, according to his account.
  • Dune won six Oscars for its first installment and two for the sequel, with awards concentrated in categories such as sound, visual effects, production design, score, editing and cinematography.
  • Actor Josh Brolin previously urged voters to nominate Villeneuve and later lamented the second miss, underscoring industry frustration over the director’s omissions.
  • Cameron, who won best director and best picture for Titanic, said his current focus is delivering a riveting theatrical experience as Avatar: Fire and Ash plays in theaters.