First, some chastised Cameron for an “Avatar”-themed spectacle including dolphins. The Japanese event found Cameron, along with the film’s stars including Sigourney Weaver and Zoe Saldana, joined by a dolphin presentation.

The reaction was swift and furious, with animal activists enraged at Cameron’s so-called betrayal.

Cameron later said he wasn’t aware of the dolphin part of the presentation and was angry about it but decided not to object mid-show. The director apologized to several of his critics via email. …

The new Avatar film is being accused of using an amalgamation of the histories of various Indigenous cultures for a film that features a largely white cast. (Notable exceptions in the casting include Zoe Saldaña, a Black Latina actress, and Cliff Curtis, who is of Maori descent.)

Autumn Asher BlackDeer, an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver, shared her critiques on social media.