James Cameron Rejects U.S. Citizenship After 47 Years in America
The legendary filmmaker behind Avatar explains why he never became an American citizen despite nearly five decades in Hollywood, citing disillusionment with the democratic process.
The mastermind behind the Avatar series has revealed why he never pursued American citizenship despite spending nearly half a century working in Hollywood. The Canadian director recently opened up about his decision to remain a foreign national while building one of the most successful careers in American cinema.
Speaking with Buzzfeed Canada, the filmmaker expressed his growing disconnect from what he once admired about the United States. His comments shed light on a perspective many international artists working in America might share but rarely voice publicly.
From Believer to Skeptic
The director's relationship with American ideals has clearly evolved over his decades-long residency. He admitted to once considering citizenship, drawn by what he called the nobility of American democratic principles. However, his recent statements suggest a fundamental shift in that thinking.
"I did live there for 47 years in Los Angeles, I did think about it for a while. I thought there was a lot of nobility in the 'American Democratic experience.' But where the hell did that go? I'm over it. I think Canadians are way over it," he stated during the interview.
His remarks came amid discussions about Canada potentially becoming America's 51st state, a concept he firmly rejected. The filmmaker declared that Canadians would "fight until the last moose" against such a proposal, emphasizing his strong Canadian identity.
Hollywood Success Without American Papers
The director's career trajectory demonstrates that American citizenship isn't necessary for achieving the highest levels of success in Hollywood. After moving to the United States in the late 1970s, he spent 47 years based in Los Angeles while maintaining his Canadian nationality.
During this period, he created some of cinema's most groundbreaking and commercially successful films. His work with major studios placed him among Hollywood's elite filmmakers, proving that talent and vision matter more than passport color in the entertainment industry.
His citizenship status never hindered his ability to helm massive studio productions. Films like Titanic and the original Avatar were developed and produced while he lived and worked in Los Angeles, demonstrating how international talent can thrive within the American film system.
International Production Shift
In recent years, the filmmaker has moved much of his Avatar franchise operations outside the United States. New Zealand has become the primary base for filming and production of Avatar: The Way of Water and upcoming sequels in the series.
This international approach to filmmaking reflects broader industry trends, where productions increasingly span multiple countries. The Avatar sequels involve international crews and overseas facilities, showing how modern blockbuster filmmaking transcends national boundaries.
Despite this geographic shift, his work remains closely connected to Hollywood through distribution partnerships and studio financing. The upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash continues this pattern of international production with American studio backing.