the sci-fi of 45 years ago accused of copying Star Wars

Today James Cameron is one of the most influential directors of Hollywoodas well as a master of science fiction. Not everyone knows that he took his first steps in this world with a film that his detractors defined as a Star Wars plagiarismbut which, over the years, has become a cult classic. Cameron, it was said, is one of the most celebrated authors in history: he holds second place as the director with the highest grossings ever (immediately after Steven Spielberg) thanks to films like Terminator, Titanic and naturally Avatar. Everyone, however, starts somewhere, and Cameron’s first projects certainly didn’t achieve the same success as the titles just mentioned.

Before making his directorial debut on a feature film with the reviled Piranha paura (1982), from which he was fired during the course of the work, and before the much more successful one Terminator (1984), James Cameron has held other roles in the industry. In 1979 he was a production assistant in Rock ‘n’ Roll High Schoolpunk comedy produced by Roger Cormanto then become part of the New World Picturesowned by Corman himself, as model designer and artistic director. A turning point that involved him in a controversial science fiction film from the 1980s, with a decidedly peculiar path.

The Magnificent Seven in space: James Cameron has a hand in the futuristic remake of The Magnificent Seven

Few people know that in The Magnificent Seven in Space (Battle Beyond the Stars) from 1980 there is also the hand of James Cameron. The film, directed by Jimmy T. Murakami e Roger Corman (and often called a ‘bad copy’ of Star Wars), was released in theaters just two months later The Empire strikes again. Cameron worked on sci-fi as artistic director. The Magnificent Seven in Spacereceived in a mixed way by critics and audiences, enjoyed moderate success at the box office and was also nominated for several awards, thanks to its innovative special effects. This experience would launch Cameron’s career in the field of VFXtransforming him into the famous pioneer of revolutionary techniques that he is today.

Directly inspired by The seven samurai (1954) by Akira Kurosawa and its western remake The Magnificent Seven (1960), Battle Beyond the Stars it also clearly took inspiration from Star Wars. It is set in the distant future, on a peaceful agricultural planet called Akir. When Sador (John Saxon), cruel warlord, decides to conquer the planet, the young laborer Shad (Richard Thomas) sets off in search of warriors willing to help him and recruits a group of fighters from different planets and cultures, each with unique abilities. Together they return to Akir to face the decisive battle. Does this sound familiar?

James Cameron and space opera: how his perception has changed in the last 45 years

Although his work on Battle Beyond the Stars went unnoticed, James Cameron has since significantly perfected his skills as a science fiction director. The film series Avatarinaugurated by the 2009 blockbuster and continued with Avatar 2: The Way of Watera (2022) and the very recent Avatar: Fire and Ashis a huge project with an important message. It is probably the director’s most important work, but it effectively presents a plot similar to that of Star Wars and even of The Magnificent Seven in Space.

Jake Sullyplayed by Sam Worthingtonhe realizes that his destiny is to remain on Pandora and use his skills to save the world from the tyrannical Colonel Quaritch and from Resources Development Administration (RDA). Just like Luke Skywalker e ShadSully saves his people and becomes a prominent figure. Avatar 2 continued his story and the upcoming Fire and Ash will expand the film saga in new directions. Future chapters will continue to expand the narrative universe but it seems that, more or less consciously, Cameron continues to keep in mind the key elements of the saga George Lucas.