James Cameron Is Staying in New Zealand To Escape 'Sickening' U.S. Administration

It’s easy for me to say that I won’t uproot my family of four and move them to a more hospitable and open-minded country. While part of me feels like it’s me taking a stand and making it clear that our lives will not be changed just because the Nazis have regained power, that we will stay here because people have to fight the good fight, that isn’t all true. That is the sentiment I have adopted, but not necessarily by choice. I can’t move my family, even if I wanted to, because that would be hella expensive.

I’m not even just reflecting on the financial nature of things (though it is huge). Our lives are here. Our family and friends are here. Hell, we moved to Jersey City from NYC and despite being a short bus ride away from midtown, that felt like an enormous shift as we were so deeply rooted in our old stomping grounds. While my kids would likely be able to adjust, it would not be easy for my wife and me. And, again, it would cost an ass ton of money. While that isn’t the driving factor, it’s important to re-up on because it would be a problem, unless you’re James Cameron.

Cameron is one of the biggest filmmakers to ever grace the silver screen. His films have been such monumental blockbusters that he’s able to take over a decade between films and still make insane amounts of money. The man who (allegedly) once wrote “Alien$” on a chalkboard to the amazement of executives, knows how to bring in the bucks, so he’s got some to spare. While all of that success turned him into a bit of a hothead (though he was that way before as well) he has softened in recent years. Because of that, he doesn’t want to see what our current President is doing to our country.

The Piranha 2: The Spawning director recently spoke to New Zealand’s Stuff and explained that his citizenship in the country was “imminent.” Explaining why, he said, “I see a turn away from everything decent.” He ain’t wrong, and he continued, noting “America doesn’t stand for anything if it doesn’t stand for what it has historically stood for. It becomes a hollow idea, and I think they’re hollowing it out as fast as they can for their own benefit.” Preach, Cameron!

Part of Cameron’s reason for moving involves the media. Here in the U.S., media outlets give Trump constant attention and play into his dizzying attempts at blitzing the media. That’s not so much the case in New Zealand. “I don’t know if I feel any safer here, but I certainly feel like I don’t have to read about it on the front page every single day. And it’s just sickening,” Cameron noted. “There’s something nice about the New Zealand outlets — at least they’ll put it on page three. I just don’t want to see that guy’s face anymore on the front page of the paper. It’s inescapable there, it’s like watching a car crash over and over and over.”

Would I move my family away if we had the means? Maybe! I have a brother who lives in Slovenia (but that would probably be Option G at the earliest). I get why someone would want to avoid the things Cameron is talking about, but it does feel like abandoning ship. Would I feel that same way if I had T2: Judgement Day money? Maybe not.