Avatar Director James Cameron Says He's Over the Democratic Ideal After 47 Years in America — Here's Why

James Cameron has spent nearly five decades making movies out of Los Angeles, but he still is not interested in becoming an American. In a new interview, the Canadian director behind the Avatar franchise basically said: thanks, but no thanks.

'I’m over it'

Speaking with BuzzFeed Canada, Cameron reflected on living and working in the U.S. for 47 years and why he never went for the passport.

"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 also pushed back on the old chatter about Canada as a hypothetical 51st state and joked that Canadians would "fight until the last moose." The bigger point: even after decades in Hollywood, he still identifies first and foremost as Canadian.

He built a top-tier Hollywood career without U.S. citizenship

Cameron moved to the States in the late 1970s and settled into Los Angeles, where he lived and worked for 47 years. Citizenship never factored into his rise. He worked with the major studios, led giant productions, and sat at the top tier of the industry while keeping his Canadian passport. He has said he considered applying for U.S. citizenship more than once, but chose not to follow through.

That choice did not slow him down. Titanic and the first Avatar were developed and released through U.S. studios while he was living in L.A., and his ability to mount large-scale, studio-backed projects never seemed to hinge on a naturalization ceremony.

These days, Avatar runs on New Zealand time

In recent years, Cameron shifted most of the Avatar operation outside the U.S., basing production for Avatar: The Way of Water and the upcoming sequels primarily in New Zealand. The sequels have meant long shoots, international crews, and extensive work at overseas facilities spread out over years of filming and post.

He is still directing and overseeing the franchise, and while distribution, financing, and studio partnerships keep him tied to Hollywood, the day-to-day is largely international. More Avatar sequels remain in the pipeline.

• Cameron has lived and worked in the U.S. for 47 years, mostly in Los Angeles.
• He never became a U.S. citizen, despite considering it at times.
• His comments came in a BuzzFeed Canada interview, where he said he is over the "American Democratic experience."
• He cracked that Canadians would "fight until the last moose" against the idea of becoming a 51st state.
• Titanic and the first Avatar were made while he lived in L.A., proving citizenship was not a barrier to top-level studio work.
• Avatar production has largely moved to New Zealand, with long, international shoots and ongoing sequels.

Where to watch

Avatar: Fire and Ash is currently only in theaters. The previous Avatar movies are streaming on Disney+ in the U.S.

Not exactly a shocking stance from a guy who has happily set up shop overseas. What do you make of his take?