James Cameron Angers Animal Activists with Dolphin Show at 'Avatar 2' Promotion

James Cameron is pissing off animal welfare campaigners by promoting his ocean-themed epic, 'Avatar: The Way of the Water,' featuring a dolphin show many consider to be, at least ironic, and definitely cruel.

The director sat down with stars Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver and more in Japan to promote the long-awaited sequel. He kicked off the press conference by saying "Welcome to Pandora"...the show started.

Dolphins in a tank were performing tricks with the help of trainers...and as the talk continued, Cameron mentioned how much he liked the intelligence and sociability of a dolphin...before joked, "I'm sure everyone asked permission to be on the show."

This joke didn't reach animal activist groups like PETA, as its spokesperson told Plant Based News, "Why the hell didn't [Cameron] take a break? five minutes to wonder if he should have let himself be seen? as endorsing the cruelty of marine parks?"

Surprisingly, Cameron has been an animal advocate for years...he says he's been a vegan for a decade, and even produced a documentary alongside the director of the 2009 film 'The Cove'. Oscar winner for animal rights that exposed the cruelty of hunting dolphins in Japan, of all places.

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Even 'The Cove' director Richard O'Barry calls out Cameron's hypocrisy in using captive dolphins to promote a film whose central plot is about conserving ocean resources.