James Cameron reveals his vegan values and served only vegan food on sets of “Avatar” productions

December 8th, 2022

James Cameron's 2009 sci-fi extravaganza "Avatar" continues to hold the record for highest worldwide box office gross with a staggering $2.8 billion. In addition to having an extremely high gross for a non-franchise film, it stands out for being a box office juggernaut with a strong environmental message. The year is 2154, and in the movie "Avatar," a corporation from the future plans to conquer and mine the moon Pandora for valuable resources. The Na'vi's ecological way of life is vividly emphasised in "Avatar," and we are invited to support them against the capitalist colonisers. Many "Avatar" viewers might not be aware that environmentally friendly procedures were fully integrated throughout every stage of the movie's development, not just in the plot.

In an effort to embody the ideas of the movie, the environmentally minded vegan filmmaker Cameron even made sure that the "Avatar" set featured a rigorously enforced vegan eating policy.

Know what prompted Cameron to turn vegan

Following the release of "Avatar," Cameron's support for a plant-based diet grew. Cameron personally made the change to a completely plant-based diet in 2012, joining his family. Although signing on for so many ambitious "Avatar" sequels was surely scary, the director asserts that switching to a vegan diet has improved his health. The confidence that Cameron has in his ability to design, co-write, and direct the taxing, decade-plus undertaking of creating his "Avatar" sequels comes from his conviction in the health advantages of a plant-based diet. He swears by the health improvements because they have given him faith in his own capability to manage what may be the largest task in Hollywood. "The fact that I've been eating plant-based for six years," he explained, "I haven't been sick one day, I haven't been sick at all in six years.

“I'm now in my 60’s on this enormous mission to do these ['Avatar'] films. It's going to take me another few years to complete the entire cycle of this project and I feel strong ... I started my work sort of full-tilt on the soundstage in the middle of last summer and I've got tons of energy and I don't think I could be doing this if I wasn't plant-based, not at this age. I think that's a big factor."

A film franchise with a strong environmental message

The 2009 original film, which explored challenges of acceptance and sympathy for non-human species, was praised for its environmental themes. It is anticipated that the four upcoming sequels, which are scheduled to arrive in 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025, will refine this message even further. The "Avatar" team is committed to ensuring that the film's environmental message is supported by the production process, thus only sustainable plant-based food will be offered on site. Some people have also wondered if the movie characters might be vegan. Regardless of the situation, Ronal, a new character from the "Reef People," appears in "Avatar 2."

Even though they are not fish, this group "lives at one with the water," and they ought to spread awareness of and compassion for marine life. Actor Kate Winslet, a vegetarian, who collaborated with Cameron and Landau on the 1998 hit "Titanic," will play Ronal.

The idea of avoiding hypocrisy while filming the movies
 

As opposed to the Na'vi from "Avatar," who have nerve fibres that plug into the environment, our species doesn't have this ability. Humans do, however, have an affect on and rely on their environment. Therefore, it was crucial for Cameron to refrain from acting hypocritically while creating "Avatar," a film with overt environmental concerns. The "Avatar" movies were intended to "mean something" more than just making money, according to director James Cameron, who addressed the movie's 130 or so staff members in a large set meeting.

Cameron made an unusual commitment on set as a result of this focus. He further explained to the crew: "We have to walk the walk. We have to live our lives, as the people working on this film, consistent with the message of the films. So, we're all going to eat vegan on this production."

The idea of avoiding hypocrisy while filming the movies
 

As opposed to the Na'vi from "Avatar," who have nerve fibres that plug into the environment, our species doesn't have this ability. Humans do, however, have an affect on and rely on their environment. Therefore, it was crucial for Cameron to refrain from acting hypocritically while creating "Avatar," a film with overt environmental concerns. The "Avatar" movies were intended to "mean something" more than just making money, according to director James Cameron, who addressed the movie's 130 or so staff members in a large set meeting.

Cameron made an unusual commitment on set as a result of this focus. He further explained to the crew: "We have to walk the walk. We have to live our lives, as the people working on this film, consistent with the message of the films. So, we're all going to eat vegan on this production."

Avatar producer shares his two cents on the move Producer of "Avatar" and longtime partner with director James Cameron Jon Landau affirms that vegan meals are also being served to the crew during filming the sequels. The producer explained his selection: It's a significant and unique commitment from a big-budget movie, and it reflects director
James Cameron's dedication to the environmental principles that form the foundation of the extensive series. Our cinematic travels into Pandora are fueled by plant-based cuisine, from the director through the entire production.

"That's all we're serving. We're not forcing anyone to eat there that doesn't want to. We're doing it based on a plant-based initiative that we feel is important, not just from a health standpoint but from an environmental standpoint. So, we're saying, 'Look, if we're going to cater for you, we're going to hold true to our values and we're doing all plant-based catering.'"

A wide range of delicious vegan meals on set
 

Cameron made arrangements for all on-set catering to be plant-based, though cast and crew were welcome to eat meat at a close-by off-set café. The crew would not be missing out on any of their favourites, he assured them. He recalled stating, "We'll serve delicious, flavorful cuisine, and it'll be comfort food in the sense that it's everything you recognise — it's pizza, it's Italian, it's Thai, it's Mexican, it's all the things you like. It's simply going to be 100% plant-based." The crew was open to trying his experiment in plant-based set catering because the proposal was successful.

James Cameron's dedication to a plant-based diet appears to be unwavering, as seen by his use of plant-based fuel on the "Avatar" production and as fuel for the director throughout the film's sequels.

Cameron’s consistent pro-veganism efforts
Although Cameron strictly adhered to a plant-based diet while filming "Avatar" and has since continued to live a vegan lifestyle, it appears that "Avatar" wasn't his final attempt to produce in a vegan manner. Verdient Foods Inc., controlled by Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis Cameron, teamed up with the global ingredients business Ingredion earlier this year to broaden a selection of plant- based proteins. The companies want to start making flours made from pulses and pea protein isolates in the upcoming year after investing $140 million.

Furthermore, the documentary "Game Changers," which addressed widespread misconceptions about veganism from the standpoint of health and fitness, was also produced by Cameron. The Sundance Film Festival audience praised the documentary, which highlighted how a plant-based diet might improve sexual performance.