Point Break Writer Addresses James Cameron’s Scripting Claims

James Cameron just reignited Hollywood chatter by claiming he wrote the 1991 cult classic action movie Point Break, which was directed by his then-wife Kathryn Bigelow. Cameron said in a recent interview that he “flat out got stiffed by the Writers Guild,” insisting he deserved official credit for the screenplay. His comments have sparked fresh debates about who was really behind the adrenaline-fueled hit starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.

Peter Iliff talks about James Cameron’s claims that he penned Point Break

W. Peter Iliff, the officially credited screenwriter of Point Break, responded to the claim Cameron made in profile for The Hollywood Reporter. Iliff acknowledged in an interview with PEOPLE that Cameron, as executive producer, contributed a few scenes, but the Writers Guild of America (WGA) awarded Iliff sole screenplay credit.

“The WGA arbitration process is one of fellow writers reading all the drafts and rendering a credit decision,” Iliff responded. “That jury gave me sole screenplay credit for Point Break, with shared story credit with Rick King.”

The writer also acknowledged Cameron’s role, calling him “my hero” and praising the ways he helped shape Point Break. “There’s enough glory for everybody, and it’s great that Jim should be recognized for his work that made Point Break the movie that it became,” he said.

Iliff explained that Point Break started as a concept by director Rick King and went through several filmmakers before landing with him. At one point, Ridley Scott was even attached to direct, but Kathryn Bigelow ultimately took the helm.

“She went on to make a fantastic, iconic movie,” Iliff said. The film follows Keanu Reeves as FBI agent Johnny Utah, who goes undercover to take down a gang of bank robbers led by Patrick Swayze’s Bodhi.

Cameron hadn’t gone into detail publicly about his screenplay contributions until now. Fans reportedly say he penned a “final, uncredited draft” that amped up the action. Iliff recognized that Cameron’s tweaks helped shape the film but stressed that the WGA’s ruling credited him as the primary writer.

Source: Comingsoon.net