Cameron talks with Liu Cixin: I think China should make "The Three-Body Problem"

On the afternoon of February 18, 2019, James Cameron, director of "Avatar" and "Titanic", came to China and met with science fiction writer Liu Cixin.

Video of Cameron's conversation with Liu Cixin:

Liu Cixin asked Cameron: Two high-budget science fiction movies were released during the Chinese Spring Festival this year and were a huge success. This may be a good start for Chinese science fiction movies. If Chinese science fiction movies continue to develop, what kind of science fiction movies do you want to see?

Cameron: I think we should make "The Three-Body Problem".

Liu Cixin: Emmmm... For us, at this stage, we might want to shoot something that is easier in terms of visuals and story. With our current experience, it is still difficult to shoot The Three-Body Problem.

Cameron also commented on The Three-Body Problem to Liu Cixin: "I read your The Three-Body Problem, and a lot of it is about superluminal movement, but it takes an infinite amount of time and energy to achieve this scientifically. But it's not magic, you're really following the laws of science in writing this story - it's within reach, it's the result of spending time and energy exploring."

He also said: "I think there are many different types of science fiction films, from escaping in the desert to a very dark world. Let's go back to your book, which talks a lot about how society evolves, how technology breaks through, and how the universe works. Of course, there are also parts about darkness, nature, and humanity, as well as the confrontation between nature and man. I want to see more optimistic things. What kind of structure can bring us an optimistic mentality. But what we ultimately have to solve is the demon in our hearts. I am an optimist, but I want to see optimistic characters and optimistic parts in the movie. Your work has reached new heights, and I want to see your work on the big screen. If there are directors who want to shoot it, let them shoot it. Give them opportunities and let them use their imagination. "

Cameron: Should the Chinese market start with soft science fiction to make it acceptable to more people?

Liu Cixin: I have never understood the reaction of Chinese audiences to our own science fiction films. I found some answers during this year's Spring Festival, which makes me happy. I think the future development direction of Chinese science fiction should be the coexistence of various styles, all of which will be developed, including hard science fiction and very literary and popular science fiction. I don't want to see Chinese science fiction films being framed by a certain type of work. This is not an optimistic situation. But it's too early to say these things now. We are just getting started.

Question to Cameron : Why are you interested in aliens or half-human, half-machine beings?

Cameron: Science fiction is attractive because it is different. Let me use Alita to answer your question: what is a human being? What if the human brain and body can be replaced by machines? When I look at the world today, I feel that we are doing a lot of science fiction experiments. This is an organic ecosystem, where science fiction creation and reality stimulate each other. All my films have such a message, that is, the love-hate relationship with technology. Technology can destroy our entire world, but it can also solve the problems of climate change and nuclear war. I think it is full of temptation.