Without a doubt, James Cameron is one of the most influential voices in film today (perhaps even in history). Sure, the guy tends to make one film a decade, but when he does actually release a movie, they, without fail, go one to become cultural phenomenons. Terminator 2, Titanic, Avatar — these are all movies that have defined generations, and they’re movies that continue on as staples of their respective genres.

Of course, creativity doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Creativity feeds creativity, and like any creative person, James Cameron survives on a healthy diet of other people’s works. But on whose works is Cameron actually feeding? Speaking with Megat Danial, Cameron shared that very thing.

“Directors that continue to inspire me…Ridley Scott. I mean, I’ll go to any Ridley Scott movie, even the ones that bomb, to me, are great, because the fabric of the filmmaking, you know, just the way he sees, and the way he places the camera…Zack Snyder and Robert Rodriguez, guys that were just creating their own cinematic language… A friend of mine, who was a visual effects guy just directed Deadpool, and I went to see Deadpool. And the opening credits sequence, I was like, ‘Damn, nobody ever thought of that. Do a fake credit sequence!’ How brilliant is it?”

Of course, there are a lot of great filmmakers on that list that James Cameron just spouted off. Ridley Scott is one of the best working in the business today, Rodriguez has a very unique and innovative style, and Deadpool was one of the biggest surprises of last year.

The one name I imagine has triggered some fans is Zack Snyder. Snyder has made some really great films, but if you were to ask some of his hardest critics, he’s also put out a few stinkers in the past seven years. Yes, Snyder may be a bit weak on his actual storytelling chops, but his visuals are unquestionably brilliant. On the whole, he seems to gofor ideas with ambitions that exceed his execution, but that’s not to say Cameron can’t pull some ideas from the Justice League helmer. No one artist is perfect, and it’s important to note other creative types, their weaknesses, but most importantly, their strengths.

What do you think of Cameron’s inspirations? Do any of those names resonate with you? While I haven’t like a Robert Rodriguez flick in a good while, his hyperactive process is one I’ve always found inspiring — enough to make me look past the flaws in a lot of his work.

Let us know who inspires you down below!

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SOURCE: Megat Danial