When James Cameron Nearly Directed One Of Steven Spielberg’s Most Iconic Films – Here’s How His Version Would’ve Been Very Different

James Cameron once came close to directing one of Steven Spielberg’s most popular films, and his version would have drastically transformed the final movie.

- November 27, 2025 | 1:59 PM IST

James Cameron Almost Directed This Steven Spielberg’s Movie(Photo Credit –Instagram/Wikimedia)

Few moviegoers may be aware that one of Steven Spielberg’s most beloved blockbusters nearly ended up in the hands of another celebrated filmmaker, James Cameron. Before Steven Spielberg secured that project, James Cameron had envisioned a version that was much darker and more violent, nothing like the fun-filled adventure audiences know today. And the film that almost took this drastically different path was Jurassic Park.

In a recent interview with Empire Magazine (via Comic Book), the Avatar filmmaker revealed that he came close to directing Jurassic Park before Steven Spielberg stepped in. He recalled receiving Michael Crichton’s novel and wanting to adapt it for the big screen the moment he reached the tense sequence where the children are trapped in the overturned vehicle, and the Tyrannosaurus rex licks the windshield, sensing them inside. However, when he contacted the agent to pursue the rights, he was informed that Steven Spielberg had already secured them.

How James Cameron’s Jurassic Park Would’ve Been Very Different?

When James Cameron finally watched Jurassic Park, he felt Steven Spielberg had been the right choice to bring the story to life. He later admitted that his own version would have been far more terrifying and R-rated, compared to the actual film’s PG-13 approach. And there lies the fundamental difference. James Cameron’s take may have been darker, wilder, and significantly more violent, with deaths portrayed in a brutal, gory manner reminiscent of Aliens. Instead of the family-friendly, fun-filled adventure audiences know, his adaptation might have leaned heavily into a more intense sci-fi horror territory.

Other Films Which James Cameron Almost Directed

Beyond Jurassic Park, James Cameron reportedly came close to directing several other major films. Some projects eventually moved forward without him, while others never materialized at all. Among the titles linked to James Cameron over the years are Spider-Man, Terminator 3, the Planet of the Apes reboot, Dungeons & Dragons, a True Lies sequel, and Battle Angel Alita, among others (via MovieWeb).

What’s Jurassic Park All About?

Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film is based on Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name. The basic plot revolves around two paleontologists, Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler (Sam Neill and Laura Dern), and a mathematician, Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), who are invited by an affluent industrialist, John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), to take a tour of a one-of-a-kind theme park full of cloned dinosaurs. However, the situation takes a deadly turn when the trio and John’s grandchildren become trapped inside the park after a power outage, with the ferocious creatures on the loose.