James Cameron, the visionary director known for epic films like Avatar and Titanic, is embarking on a new project that takes him far from the fantastical world of Pandora. He has acquired the rights to Charles Pellegrino’s upcoming book, *Ghosts of Hiroshima*, and plans to combine it with Pellegrino’s 2015 book, *Last Train From Hiroshima*, into one powerful cinematic experience.
Cameron’s latest venture will delve into the harrowing true story of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The film will focus on the experiences of a Japanese man who survived the Hiroshima blast and, incredibly, went on to survive a second atomic blast in Nagasaki after boarding a train to the city.
Pellegrino’s books, which draw heavily on eyewitness accounts from both Japanese survivors and American pilots, provide a deeply personal and impactful perspective on the devastating events. Cameron, who has been drawn to this story for years, shared his motivation: “It’s a subject that I’ve wanted to do a film about, that I’ve been wrestling with how to do it, over the years,” he told Deadline. “I met Tsutomu Yamaguchi, a survivor of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, just days before he died. He was in the hospital. He was handing the baton of his personal story to us, so I have to do it. I can’t turn away from it.”
Cameron’s *Last Train From Hiroshima* is set to begin filming when his Avatar productions allow. The film’s release is anticipated to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb drop in August 2025. This marks Cameron’s return to directing a non-Avatar film since his 1997 masterpiece, Titanic, which won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Cameron’s most recent film, Avatar: The Way of Water, was a massive box office success, grossing $2.32 billion and earning four Academy Award nominations. He is currently working on *Avatar: Fire and Ash*, slated for release in December 2025, and has Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 in production as well.
While Cameron has captivated audiences with science fiction and fantasy worlds, his upcoming film about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki promises to be a deeply moving and thought-provoking exploration of history. This project showcases Cameron’s commitment to telling important stories and his dedication to honoring the experiences of those who survived these tragic events.
