In a heartfelt tribute, James Cameron reflected on his long-standing partnership with Sigourney Weaver, which began with the groundbreaking ‘Aliens’ back in 1986. He applauded her breathtaking portrayal of a youthful Na’vi in the upcoming ‘Avatar’ sequels, marveling at how she captures the essence of youth even at 70.

Director James Cameron and his long-time actress friend and co-worker share an enduring friendship. They first worked together in 1986 on ‘Aliens’ and have continued working together since then. Now, after their most recent collaboration in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’, the 71-year-old director is reflecting on his decades-long friendship and working history with the 76-year-old actress.

James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver‘s bond

In a conversation with PEOPLE at the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards on Sunday, Cameron said, “Sigourney and I are on great terms,” adding that they “really get along just as two humans and as co-workers,’ Cameron admits Weaver is “just very serious about her craft,” and he’s also very serious about his.“We kind of meet in that sort of quest for perfection,” he said. “She’s amazing. She always brings it every time. I mean, you look at her character in the Avatar sequels. She’s playing a 15-year-old at the age of 70-ish, 70 plus, and flawlessly,” he continued.

James Cameron on Sigourney Weaver’s role as Kiri

Weaver portrayed a teenage Na’vi character, Kiri, in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ and 2022’s ‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’ following her role as Dr. Grace Augustine in the 2009 original.In December 2025, James Cameron told the above-mentioned outlet that Weaver was around 70-71 when she portrayed Kiri. Reflecting on her portrayal of Kiri, he says, “She’s a little bit older now, but she just came in a different person. She came in lighter and more open. I mean, she literally looked like she had gotten younger.”Cameron feels that perhaps Kiri was one of the biggest acting challenges of Weaver’s career.