Sigourney Weaver Praises James Cameron’s ‘Anti-AI’ Technology Used on ‘Avatar’ Films: He Invented It to ‘Let Actors Be Whatever They Could Be’

Sigourney Weaver Praises James Cameron's Anti-AI Tech in 'Avatar' Films: He Let Actors Shine

Sigourney Weaver, known for her iconic roles in "Aliens," "Ghostbusters," and the upcoming "Avatar: Fire and Ash," recently spoke about her experience working with director James Cameron on the long-running franchise. At the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Weaver expressed her gratitude towards Cameron's innovative approach to performance capture technology.

Cameron's technology doesn't rely on generative AI but instead uses micro-expressions from actors to create digital characters. This method allows Weaver to portray a 14-year-old Na'vi in "Avatar: Fire and Ash," showcasing the director's commitment to giving actors creative freedom. Cameron's focus remains on performance, ensuring that the actors feel invested in their scenes.

Weaver praised Cameron for being an actor-first director, never shying away from collaborating with his cast. She recalled their earliest collaboration on "Aliens" (1986), where Cameron built a character-driven story around Sigourney's iconic Ripley. The result was a performance that earned her a rare Oscar nomination in the sci-fi genre.

When discussing the development of Ridley Scott's "Alien," Weaver noted that the filmmakers never intended for Ripley to become a feminist icon, but the character's impact came later as audiences interpreted it in their own way. In contrast, Weaver highlighted Cameron's ability to foster improvisation and creativity in comedies like "Ghostbusters." The Second City spirit of her co-stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis played a significant role in shaping those films.

Throughout the conversation, Weaver emphasized that she has always thrived on exploring different roles due to being discouraged at drama school. She credits this experience with pushing her toward finding a range rather than specializing in one area. Moving forward, Weaver shared excitement about her upcoming projects without revealing too much detail.

The Red Sea Film Festival recognized Weaver's dedication and achievements by presenting her with an honorary award, presented by the festival's chairwoman Jomana R. Alrashid.

you know what's wild is how some tech companies are getting into making custom gaming consoles now... like, who needs a new console when you've got a beast of a laptop ? also, sigourney weaver is still so underrated - i mean, have you seen her in ghostbusters? she's the real MVP

OMG I'm so glad Sigourney is giving James Cameron props for his innovative approach to tech in Avatar! It's like he truly understands that actors are the real stars of the show . I mean, who needs AI when you have talented humans bringing characters to life? I loved seeing her talk about her experience working with Cameron on Alien too - Ripley is literally an iconic character and it's crazy how much impact she had even back in 86! Now we just need to see what she's got cooking for Avatar: Fire and Ash... fingers crossed!

aww thats so cool that sigourney weaver is giving all the credit to james cameron for letting actors shine in his films she was literally born to play ripley and then she got to explore so many other amazing roles too its not often you see directors prioritizing their cast's creativity like that i can totally see how working with james must have been a dream come true for her, and it sounds like she has so much respect for him

I'm tellin' ya, this Sigourney Weaver interview is like a breath of fresh air ! James Cameron's old-school approach to tech is so refreshing. I mean, who needs AI when you got talented actors like Weaver bringin' the heat? It's all about the performance, baby! And it's awesome that she gets to shine in Avatar: Fire and Ash as a 14-year-old Na'vi - I'm already hyped for that one . And can we talk about how Cameron let her improvise in Ghostbusters? That Second City vibe is still magic . Weaver's just the best, always takin' on new roles and keepin' it real .

I mean, can you blame Sigourney for loving James Cameron's approach to filmmaking? He actually lets the actors shine instead of relying on fancy AI tricks . It's so refreshing to see a director who prioritizes performance and collaboration. I'm sure it made her experience working on Avatar: Fire and Ash super enjoyable . And wow, the woman is just so talented! Who else can go from Aliens to Ghostbusters to an Avatar sequel? She's had such a diverse range of roles throughout her career .

I love how James Cameron is still pushing boundaries in the film industry . He's always been about giving his actors creative freedom, which is so refreshing to see! I mean, have you seen Sigourney Weaver in Avatar: Fire and Ash? She's bringing this whole new level of depth to her characters, and it's amazing to see her evolve as an actress.

I think what really sets Cameron apart is that he's not afraid to take risks and try new things. Like with Ghostbusters, he brought together this incredible team of comedians and created something truly iconic . And now, he's pushing the limits of performance capture technology again, which is just so cool.

It's also great to see Sigourney Weaver getting her due recognition at the Red Sea Film Festival . She's had an incredible career, from Aliens to Ghostbusters, and she deserves all the accolades. I'm excited to see what she does next – her upcoming projects are going to be amazing!

I'm so glad Sigourney Weaver is finally getting some love for her work on Avatar! It's crazy that Cameron was able to create these incredible characters without relying on AI - it just goes to show how talented his cast is! I mean, who else can bring a digital Na'vi to life like Weaver does? But what really gets me is when she talks about Cameron being an actor-first director... can you imagine if more directors focused on the actors rather than relying on CGI and fancy tech?