In a statement posted to Twitter, she wrote, "James Cameron's inability to understand what Wonder Woman is, or stands for, to women all over the world is unsurprising, as, although he is a great filmmaker, he is not a woman."
While she thanked him for praising her film "Monster" (which earned a Best Actress Oscar for Charlize Theron), she pointed out he entirely missed why women loved seeing a strong female lead -- even if *gasp* she's attractive. And that for a female lead to be considered "strong," she doesn't have to be "hard, tough, and troubled."
She added, "There is no right and wrong kind of powerful woman."
http://pic.twitter.com/8zkJXHLCJW
— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) August 25, 2017
Jenkins wasn't the only one who objected to Cameron's putdown, with people on Twitter -- including Lena Dunham -- pointing out his less-than-praiseworthy treatment of Kate Winslet and ex-wives Linda Hamilton and Kathryn Bigelow, who bested Cameron as Best Director at the 2009 Oscars.
I think of James Cameron exclusively as "that dude who didn't manage to hold Kathryn Bigelow down."
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) August 25, 2017
James Cameron congratulating his ex wife Kathryn Bigelow on being the first female to win a best director Oscar. What a supporter of women! http://pic.twitter.com/HtSU4AmNYY
— Lauren Ash (@lauren_ash) August 24, 2017
Wonder Woman was a step backward for women in the same way leaving James Cameron & winning an Oscar was a step backward for Kathryn Bigelow
— Josh Young (@_joshyoung) August 25, 2017