In a heartfelt tribute, James Cameron spoke about his long-standing partnership with Sigourney Weaver, which began with the groundbreaking Aliens in 1986. He praised her stunning portrayal of the young Na’vi in the Avatar sequels, marveling at how she embodied the essence of youth even at the age of 70.
Director James Cameron and his longtime co-star and actress friend share an enduring friendship. They first worked together in 1986 in the movie “Aliens” and have continued to work together ever since.
Now, following their recent collaboration on Avatar: Fire and Ash, the 71-year-old director reflects on his decades-long friendship and working history with the 76-year-old actress.
James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver support
In a chat with PEOPLE at the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards on Sunday, Cameron said, “Sigourney and I have a great relationship,” adding that they “really get along as human beings and as coworkers,” Cameron admits that Weaver is “very serious about her craft,” and he’s also very serious about his work.“We kind of come together in this kind of quest for perfection,” he said. He continued, “She’s amazing. She always brings it every time. I mean you look at her character in the Avatar sequel. She plays a 15-year-old who’s 70, over 70, flawless.”
James Cameron talks about Sigourney Weaver’s role as Kerry
Weaver portrayed teenage Na’vi character, Kairi, in 2022’s Avatar: Fire and Ash and Avatar: The Way of Water, following her role as Dr. Grace Augustine in the 2009 original.
In December 2025, James Cameron told the aforementioned outlet that Weaver was around 70-71 years old when she portrayed Kerry. Reflecting on her portrayal of Kerry, he says: “She’s a little older now, but she just came off as a different person. She came off lighter and more open. I mean she literally looked like she had gotten younger.”Cameron feels that Kerry was perhaps one of the biggest acting challenges of Weaver’s career.