‘Avatar’ Director James Cameron Says He’s Getting New Zealand Citizenship After Trump’s Election: ‘I Think It’s Horrifying’

Avatar and Titanic director James Cameron is pressing forward with his “imminent” move to New Zealand from Los Angeles. “I’ve already qualified in terms of time in country,” Cameron told New Zealand journalist Paddy Gower on an episode of The F#$%ing News podcast. “I’ve put in my application. I’m told it’s imminent.”

Cameron has an extensive real estate portfolio, including a ranch on a massive estate in Wellington, New Zealand, that has been in his name for years. The reason is President Donald Trump‘s re-election: “I think it’s horrific. I think it’s horrifying. I see a turn away from everything decent.”

“America doesn’t stand for anything if it doesn’t stand for what it has historically stood for,” Cameron continued. “It becomes a hollow idea, and I think they’re hollowing it out as fast as they can for their benefit.”

Cameron has a history with New Zealand, having shot all of the Avatar movies there.

Cameron’s words echoed the themes of the Avatar franchise, which emphasizes harmonious attunement with nature triumphing over some of humanity’s more vindictive impulses.

“I don’t know if I feel any safer here, but I certainly feel like I don’t have to read it on the front page every single day,” Cameron explained. “It’s just sickening. There’s something nice about the New Zealand outlets. At least they’ll put it on page three. I’d rather read a story about a cat in a tree, the fireman saving it, or some picadillo in government here. I don’t want to see that guy’s face anymore on the paper’s front page, and that’s inescapable there.”

Cameron doesn’t shy away from political pronouncements, including when concerned about the passion that has driven him forward over the past two decades: environmental justice.

In 2017, one year into the first Trump administration, Cameron had called the administration “insane,” citing the “iceberg” of climate catastrophe ahead of us and our call out to turn the order, citing a parallel to his previous film Titanic. 

“Trump grabbed the tiller and plunged it right back at the center of the iceberg. So, am I worried? Of course.”

Cameron also cited the “big city anonymity” that he doesn’t find in his new home and the kindness of the residents overall. 

“Everybody’s not a saint in New Zealand anymore than they are anywhere else. But as an outsider or someone who was an outsider, I see a difference here in how people treat each other.”