Sigourney Weaver Once Confronted James Cameron for Yelling at a Co-Star

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Sigourney Weaver told The New York Times about a time she disagreed with director James Cameron while filming the 1986 movie “Aliens.”

This film brought Sigourney Weaver back as Ellen Ripley after the first “Alien” movie, and it was James Cameron’s directorial debut in the series. Weaver remembered Cameron becoming annoyed when a young actress had trouble handling the props during filming.

Weaver explained that she approached Cameron and told him, ‘When you criticize one actor, you’re criticizing all of us. Remember that what she was trying to do was difficult. Perhaps you could film something else while she adjusts to your direction.’ She noted that Cameron listened and later seemed more relaxed, describing him as ‘a good guy’ and believing he had become more easygoing over time.

Weaver also talked about having dinner with Cameron after filming wrapped up. She said he was much more relaxed and humorous when they weren’t on the stressful movie set.

She explained that she understood why the actor struggled during the filming of ‘Aliens,’ noting it was a very difficult production for him. She added that she was relieved she hadn’t worked with him on ‘The Abyss,’ Cameron’s famously challenging 1989 film.

Filming “The Abyss” was incredibly challenging. Several actors, including Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, struggled emotionally, and Ed Harris remembers the set being extremely stressful and even dangerous, particularly while working in the large water tank. As Harris explained to Entertainment Weekly, the actors felt like they were being treated poorly, leading to a moment where Mastrantonio protested, saying, “We are not animals!” and briefly left the set.

Even though they had challenges in the past, Weaver decided to collaborate with Cameron once more on the “Avatar” movies. Her co-star, Stephen Lang, observed that Cameron has evolved over time, explaining, “He’s become a much more mellow and positive person… I believe he actively worked on becoming a better version of himself.”

Cameron admitted he wasn’t always yelling, but he would occasionally lose his temper. He believed everyone has off days, and if someone wasn’t performing well, they should step aside.

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2025-12-27 11:16