"That's horrifying to me" - James Cameron criticizes generative AI creating "performance from scratch"

Director of the Terminator and Avatar franchises, James Cameron, recently voiced concerns about the rise of generative AI in filmmaking, calling the technology’s ability to generate actors and performances “horrifying.” He argued that cinema is built on human expression and that AI-driven synthetic performers undermine the core of what makes filmmaking meaningful.

Speaking in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, dated November 30, 2025, Cameron stressed that while motion capture and visual effects enhanced his films, they were always rooted in real human performances. In contrast, he believes today’s generative AI technology poses a direct threat to actors and the craft itself. Responding to concerns about AI-generated performers, Cameron said:

''Now, go to the other end of the spectrum, and you’ve got generative AI, where they can make up a character, They can make up an actor. They can make up a performance from scratch with a text prompt. It’s like, no. That’s horrifying to me. That’s the opposite. That’s exactly what we’re not doing.”

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Context for James Cameron’s recent statements

SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents Career Retrospective with James Cameron (Image via Getty)

James Cameron explained that even before the emergence of generative AI, misconceptions circulated within Hollywood about his use of technology. As he developed the first Avatar film in 2005, many assumed he aimed to replace actors with computer-generated creations. Referring to those early fears, Cameron said:

“For years, there was this sense that, ‘Oh, they’re doing something strange with computers and they’re replacing actors,’ when in fact, once you really drill down and you see what we’re doing, it’s a celebration of the actor-director moment.”

Cameron also noted that, despite the complex digital environments of Pandora, human performance has always remained at the center of his work.

“We had to build an ocean. We could make a two-meter swell. We could make a wave crash up on a shoreline if we built the shoreline.

He added:

So, performance capture, we use a whole bunch of cameras to capture the body performance of the actor. And we use a single camera (or now we use actually two) to video their face. They’re in a close-up 100% of the time. But there’s a beautiful thing about being in a close-up 100% of the time. It’s very much like theater rehearsal,” he said.

The Titanic filmmaker's comments follow the introduction of an AI-generated performer by comedian and producer Eline Van der Velden at a summit in September 2025. Responding to industry concerns, in an interview with Variety, dated November 11, 2025, Van der Velden argued that AI’s role in filmmaking will expand gradually, stating:

''I think it will be a slow progression. I’m sure in the coming year, there’ll be plenty of effects that will be made with AI. There’ll be some establishing shots, there’ll be some second-unit shots with AI, and then slowly, we’ll progress to a full AI film.

The comedian added that whether people would pay for an AI film or not, they probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference. According to Van der Velden, whether people would choose to pay for it or not would depend on good storytelling.

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However, James Cameron remains unconvinced, warning that generative AI erodes the emotional and artistic essence of filmmaking. While he has long embraced innovative technology, he insists that it must support, not replace, the human element.