James Cameron has never been shy about pushing storytelling to new heights — and now he’s sharing the spotlight with Billie Eilish. During a recent interview promoting Avatar: The Way of Water’s follow-up chapter, Cameron opened up about how emotional the new film will be, and how the Oscar-winning singer is stepping confidently into the director’s chair.
Cameron explained that the upcoming Avatar installment is designed to take fans on a powerful emotional ride — one that begins intimately before building into a fast-moving, heart-pounding finale. “It accelerates faster and faster and faster like a runaway train,” he teased. The filmmaker hinted at deep character healing and an explosive opening sequence, but remained tight-lipped about development on Avatar 4 and Avatar 5. When asked if the sequels were guaranteed, he simply replied, “We have to be successful with this film.”
But Cameron isn’t slowing down. Following the release of the new Avatar chapter, he’s stepping into what he jokingly called his “pop-roll era” — co-directing Billie Eilish’s upcoming concert film Hit Me Hard and Soft in 3D.
“She’s such a wonderful artist. And she and I are directing that together,” Cameron said, praising Eilish for the powerful creative design behind her live show. “She earned her director props already.”
The pair are using the same cutting-edge camera technology developed for the Avatar franchise, but upgraded with a new generation of tools — meaning fans can expect a visually immersive take on Eilish’s performance world.
As award season approaches, Cameron admitted he’s hopeful voters recognize the skill of his cast — especially actors like Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington, whose motion-capture performances often go under-credited. “It’s the purest form of acting,” he emphasized, saying their emotional work is as real as anything filmed on a traditional set.
With Avatar’s next chapter ready to hit screens and a major music partnership underway, Cameron seems energized by the creative momentum. And if Billie Eilish is already impressing one of cinema’s greatest innovators? The future of her directing career might be as bold as her music.
