'Piranha 3D' producer hits back at Cameron

Piranha 3D producer Mark Canton has hit back at James Cameron for criticising his horror remake.

The Avatar director had suggested that the makers of Piranha 3D were reaching for the "bottom of the barrel" by using new technology to revive the dormant franchise. In a letter Canton circulated to journalists, the producer accused Cameron of being "ridiculous" and "self-serving".

"Mr Cameron, who singles himself out to be a visionary of movie-making, seems to have a small vision regarding any motion pictures that are not his own," Canton wrote.

"It is amazing that in the movie-making process - which is certainly a team sport - that Cameron consistently celebrates himself as though he is a team of one.

"His comments are ridiculous, self-serving and insulting to those of us who are not caught up in serving his ego and his rhetoric."

Canton added that directors such as Star Trek helmer J.J. Abrams had seen Piranha 3D and voiced their approval.

"On opening weekend, I was in a Los Angeles theatre with a number of today's great film-makers including J.J. Abrams, who actually had nothing short of the fabulous, fun 3D experience that the movie provides," he commented.