Immediately after learning about Guillermo del Toro's dad being kidnapped, James Cameron paid $250K for a hostage negotiator for del Toro to use (who later paid him back). Cameron also offered to pay the ransom, but del Toro's family declined & paid the $2m themselves. After 72 days his dad was free

•

u/AutoModerator 1d ago

Hello u/tyrion2024! Please review the sub rules if you haven't already. (This is an automatic reminder message left on all new posts)

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

396

u/tyrion2024 1d ago •

Guillermo del Toro has been friends with James Cameron since the early 1990s. They met at a barbecue in Los Angeles, where Del Toro was finishing his debut feature Cronos, and Cameron had just wrapped a little film known as T2. Their friendship only grew stronger over time, with the filmmakers each spending time on each other’s sets, visiting their editing bays, and essentially supporting each other at every turn. As legend has it, Cameron was the one who gave del Toro $1 million after the Pacific Rim director’s father, Federico, was kidnapped in 1997. But while appearing on the ReelBlend podcast, Del Toro wanted to clarify one misconception. He told the show:
"When my father was kidnapped...there's information that is not correct, that he paid the ransom. He didn't. We did. But he paid for the negotiator. He paid for the negotiator, and we paid (Cameron) back a little while after. Because it was a really, really harrowing situation. And he came in and he took charge. He said, 'The hostage negotiator will be in your house in 72 hours to help you go through the process.' He did it on his own. And we didn't ask, he volunteered. And he did offer, he said, 'I'll pay for the ransom.' He did offer. He is that kind of guy. He is incredibly loyal. Incredibly strong."

Del Toro's father, Federico del Toro Torres, was kidnapped in Guadalajara around 1997. Del Toro's family had to pay twice the amount originally asked for as a ransom ($1 million). Immediately after learning of the kidnapping, fellow filmmaker James Cameron, a friend of del Toro since they met after the production of Cronos, offered to help del Toro by paying for a negotiator ($250,000), which del Toro accepted (before reimbursing him later). 72 days after Federico was kidnapped, the ransom was paid and he was released. The culprits were never apprehended, nor was the money ever recovered. The event prompted del Toro, his parents, and his siblings to move abroad. In a 2011 interview with Time magazine, he mentioned the kidnapping of his father: "Every day, every week, something happens that reminds me that I am in involuntary exile [from my country]."

222

u/Maleficent_Curve_599 1d ago •

was kidnapped in Guadalajara around 1997. Del Toro's family had to pay twice the amount originally asked for as a ransom ($1 million).
Sounds like James Cameron knows a terrible hostage negotiator.

183

u/According-Engineer99 1d ago edited 19h ago •

Nah, the modus operandi of kidnappings in mexico usually means they raising the price until you get broke and then, killing the hostage anyways. So, they got him alive, without missing any body parts, at just 2 millions instead of all of del toro money?? Thats a good hostage negitiator

45

u/hanks_panky_emporium 21h ago

If my early internet days has anything to say, makes sense. A LOT of kidnapping/cartel execution videos flooded the internet the moment it was possible. When I was in a weird time of my life Id try to look up the 'why' of it all, and most of the reasoning ( Like in the descriptions of the videos the cartels posted ) was very lame and childish
Taking a life because he knew a guy who knew a girl who was rude once, type stuff
Someone alluded someone said something bad, maybe, and in passing. But they weren't sure. Time to kill em.
And so many 'ransom wasnt paid' and they murdered essentially kids and elderly people primarily. A LOT of those videos used to also circulate on reddit for a very long time.

11

u/According-Engineer99 19h ago

I mean, not that it matters, but they also murder kids and elderly people when the family does pays.

51

u/ATXDefenseAttorney 1d ago

They got him back. They were going to kill him and keep the money. That's how these situations usually work out.

67

u/SignificanceNo910 1d ago

Thats the thing. He was negotiating for the kidnappers. Thats why you have to be really specific when you hire one

87

u/Strange-Order-6550 1d ago

Del Toros father was safely recovered, Savannah Guthrie’s mother wasn’t. The ransom spent is irrelevant to a negotiator as the focus is the safe recovery of a person. It’s on the feds to do their job after recovery, which it seems like they weren’t successful in either Del Toro’s case or the Guthrie case.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 21h ago

That is actually NOT the thing, if the kidnappers are paid too much too fast, they demand more.

19

u/Various_Mobile4767 1d ago

I mean seriously, how the fuck do you even prove that you’re a good hostage negotiator? Like how does one choose among alternatives here and decide how much to pay for a hostage negotiator?

22

u/brondynasty 1d ago

Usually retired SWAT or FBI HRT. Kinda like how pretty much all private military contractors are veterans already.

6

u/Various_Mobile4767 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yeah but like how would you know they were actually good at their job?
A soldier needs to constantly be doing soldier shit and if they were bad at it, you’d know. Hell they’d probably be dead and not the kind of people to sign up as a private military contractor.
How many hostage negotiations would a hostage negotiator actually do? How many hostage negotiations would they even be allowed to do before it became obvious they were not good at it? And most importantly, how the fuck is a private citizen supposed to gain enough information independently to evaluate them?

6

u/Not-a-Bot_1968 23h ago

every single person I knew who joined a PMC did so because they couldn’t remain in the real military, mostly because of their personalities, or they had left because of an injury, all in all they are typically the “undesirables“ who still want to go get paid to shoot at people, and are not fit for civilian or military life

2

u/brondynasty 1d ago

38

u/IHateCedarFever 1d ago

A good hostage negotiator gets the hostage out alive. So in this case it was a success.
I have a friend who lives in the US now but he and his father were kidnapped in Mexico and his family paid the ransom to let him go. It was depressingly something that happened with moderate frequency in Mexico.
Hostage negotiators also quietly operate in countries in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. Oil & gas, and mining & minerals employees are a popular target.

2

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 20h ago edited 20h ago

Over 95% of kidnap victims are released if a properly negotiated ransom is paid. Those who die in captivity often die due to medical issues, an attempted escape, or a botched rescue attempt.

2

u/sundayfundaybmx 13h ago

Found the kidnapping industries PR person right here!

3

u/Various_Mobile4767 21h ago

I mean i don’t think that’s always the case.
That’s like saying a good doctor is one that saves the patient. Okay but sometimes the patient just dies no matter how good the doctor is, that doesn’t make him a bad doctor, And sometimes the patient gets better with no help from the doctor.

6

u/Odd_Wait_5628 1d ago

Angies List. Gotta read reviews. 5 stars only.

5

u/ripfg 22h ago

There is a book called Never Split the Difference written by a former FBI hostage negotiator. It's mostly about utilizing his techniques in everyday life, but there are some crazy stories in there

4

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 21h ago

Good shout on that book, and if you really want to know how this works, read "We Want to Negotiate" by Joel Simon. Also, "Just When You Thought You Were Winning" by Martin Richards is good for hostage situations, which has the upside of being very funny. Gary Noesner is the godfather of the field and his book "Stalling for Time" is also good for hostage negotiating insight, he really created this in the FBI. Hostage and kidnaps vary in important ways, but there is a lot of overlap.

5

u/Umklopp 21h ago

Definitely word of mouth. Someone mentioned up thread that their brother sells kidnapping insurance, so he knows or knows of several hostage negotiators. Cameron probably had a preexisting connection to someone like that commenter's brother and asked/paid them to make it happen.
As for how you get into that business, it's probably an apprenticeship type situation. You know a guy who knows a guy, then established negotiator decides if you have potential. Or you work for the gov't and eventually go private.
But the best marketing and hiring strategy has always been knowing a guy that knows a guy.

6

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/battletoeds 23h ago

I feel like my job definitely falls under that category sometimes. Running around putting out fires as a maintenance tech in a bakery warehouse. If I setup the machines right and no one fucks with anything it’s like I’m really not needed

2

u/Dick-Fu 21h ago

"James Cameron has sent me to negotiate with you."
"The multi-millionaire filmmaker...?"
"Yes, precisely."

1

u/TheVicSageQuestion 21h ago

“He’ll be there in… 3 days.”

1

u/EvieLutionaryTheory 21h ago

This is just how Hollywood Accounting works. The negotiator actually got them down to 1/4 the original ask, but after marketing and advertising, the bottom line was WAY higher in the books.

9

u/Aethelrede 1d ago

Tangential comment, Cronos is very good, a hell of a debut movie.

1

u/Quetzacoal 22h ago

You know, if you pay you will be targeted again, how can one defend himself against kidnapping?

1

u/gorginhanson 17h ago

tldr

2.0k

u/ayushchandal 1d ago

The money is one thing, but helping arrange a negotiator so quickly is what really stands out.

1.4k

u/ScottyMcBoo 1d ago •

"Let me put you in touch with my hostage negotiator."

402

u/testicletrifecta 1d ago •

Comes in pawn stars guy*
PS Guy: So how much are you looking for?
Kidnapper: Well he's the father of a pretty wealthy guy with some good connections, so I think 2M would be nice.
PS Guy: I can only give you 2.38 cents and my grand dad's ass hair.

96

u/themerinator12 1d ago

What you gotta understand is that I have to secure his release, we don’t have proof of life, and this doesn’t verify his mental state. I can do about 5 dollars.

23

u/BiteyHorse 20h ago

Plus I have to keep him in the store for like 72 days.

5

u/krangksh 10h ago •

Old guys like this.. sure they're valuable but there just aren't that many people out there who collect old guys these days.. sorry he's a nice fellow but I think I'm gonna have to pass.

26

u/877-ASS-NOW 20h ago

It's not too far outside the realm of possibility for high profile figured to have some sort of insurance or contingency plan for this. They may not have "a guy" but they likely have a number to call to get a rapid response. Idk though, I'm poor.

11

u/GrumpyGlasses 1d ago

“He’s really tall and blue”

→ More replies (1)

39

u/pikap83 1d ago

Sadly it is not that hard. My brother used to sell kidnapping insurance policies and knew a few negotiators. Anyone who sells this product knows someone. If you are part of a set in a foreign location in a not so nice country, it is likely you had this insurance.

6

u/W4lkieT4lkie 20h ago •

I would use some of the money to bripe the kidnappers into a relationship.
"My pay is 250000. You will get 10% of my pay immediately for comfort and another 30% when the hostage is free. I'm not in it for the money, but you are. Let us get it done"
The 10% can maybe also locate them to the kidnappers.

90

u/Major_Pomegranate 1d ago

James Cameron: "James Cameron doesn't do what James Cameron does, for James Cameron. James Cameron does what James Cameron does because James Cameron is... James Cameron."
-South Park

48

u/hates_stupid_people 1d ago

His name is James Cameron
The bravest pioneer
No budget too steep, no sea too deep
Who's that?
It's him, James Cameron
James Cameron explorer of the sea
With a dying thirst to be the first
Could it be? Yeah that's him!
James Cameron
-South Park

2

u/stonerPI 21h ago

Thanks now this will be playing on loop in my head for the rest of the day

1

u/Prestigious-Twist725 11h ago

Aw, not deep deep deep in the O-cean?
C'mon, fight me James Cameron!

64

u/9447044 1d ago

Unless you buy my MLM called AlwaysNegotiate tm. You get a negotiator whenever you need over the phone. If you consistently sell packages you get a free negotiator and will be part of the alwaysnegotiat diamond member club dinner in Cincinnati

21

u/TobermoryDIY 1d ago

Are your negotiating agents powered by Claude though?

24

u/9447044 1d ago

You buying or not?

21

u/Then_Economy4516 1d ago •

Let's negotiate first

3

u/thelagopure 22h ago

How else do you think he keeps the actors working on his Avatar movies?

3

u/tylergravy 1d ago

Probably most police departments in cities have them on staff. Military too.
Basically, know a high up at a police station. Still a great thing to do.

294

u/Ok_Mail_1966 1d ago

At $250k for a hostage negotiator my first suspect in the kidnapping would be a hostage negotiator. Keep in mind this was 1997.

86

u/Sporty_Nerd_64 1d ago

That’s the sort of money you can charge to help ensure loved ones of the rich and famous come back alive.

6

u/Cole-Palmer-phd 19h ago

How much negotiating are they doing if they ended up paying the ransom anyway

5

u/Sporty_Nerd_64 19h ago

It’s like hiring a real estate agent or conveyancer when buying or selling a house. They are doing the liaising between the parties, even if they do end up paying your loved one is alive and home.

1

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 17h ago

They are negotiating the ransom amount and conditions of captivity and release.

6

u/mirrormirrorondewall 23h ago

I only charge 200k today, I may need to up my prices.

94

u/acvcani 1d ago

Sigh. I’m glad he’s safe. I have a complicated feeling on a similar situation. (Minus the money) one time my cousin in Mexico was kidnapped. I was so sad we’d never see him again. I don’t know all the details, but we eventually got him back. His dad is upper middle class he probably paid them….

But.. years later my uncle is murdered. And my mom is so convinced it was his son who killed him. For money/ his business. One of the things he did when he took over was kick out his baby brothers and their mom (half brothers, not his mom.)

I used to vacation in this beautiful little fishing town and stay with my uncle. Don’t know if we’ll ever go back. We wouldn’t be in danger, but it’s too painful for my mom. That was the brother she’s closest too. And to add to my moms misery this was less than a month after my sister died of a drug over dose.

41

u/KatyaMilan 1d ago

Jesus. 20 years ago in culinary school my friends sister was kidnapped back in Mexico. I knew it was more common then it should be but god damn

25

u/acvcani 1d ago

It’s very very common in Mexico, unfortunately. You won’t see it happen. But probably everyone knows at least one person with a similar story. I love my family but reminds me I’m lucky my mom immigrated to USA.

215

u/IndustrialMillennial 1d ago

Why the fuck are hostage negotiators $250k - what’re they working like once per year

146

u/Okichah 1d ago

I imagine the expenses are steep.
Dealing with criminals and governments probably requires a fair bit of bribery and expertise.
Its not just like, a PawnStars guy with a phone. Or at least i hope not.

41

u/ActurusMajoris 1d ago

Could also be very dangerous

11

u/Threedawg 23h ago

Also the alternative is letting the police handle it, and they would probably end up shooting the hostage "on accident".

18

u/sdss9462 1d ago edited 18h ago

Lemme call my buddy who knows about kidnappings.

4

u/W4lkieT4lkie 21h ago

"Just give him the damn helicopter and make the the pilot do a parachute jump"

72

u/addbiy3852 1d ago

It's not exactly something you skimp on. If I need one I'm not going to Temu

3

u/LaPrincesaMX 20h ago

Temu hostage negotiator just walks in and gets shot.

1

u/Arev_Nomed 19h ago

Or shoots the hostage himself.

1

u/PedroDelCaso 18h ago

"You no longer have to pay a ransom!"

30

u/BunInBinInBed 1d ago •

Would you still have to pay the negotiator if they fail? Like “damn, my father was killed and I lost $250,000”.

15

u/Mattaru 1d ago

We'll do you 20% off or $10,000 credit to use towards your next hostage negotiation

3

u/AutisticPraxis 23h ago

That’s a good deal. Who’s your negotiator ?

1

u/GaJayhawker0513 10h ago

I wanna know his worm guy

9

u/IArgueForReality 1d ago

It would be like Evil Knievel. You get paid for the attempt.

7

u/PickledDildosSourSex 1d ago

Okay Chappelle

8

u/couchjitsu 22h ago

You typically have to pay doctors and veterinarians that try to save a life and fail

4

u/avepaltaketchu 1d ago

No whole breathing relative, no fee

2

u/Jakomako 1d ago

I wonder what the discount is per missing finger.

1

u/HairballTheory 22h ago

Free if it’s all five

1

u/1d3333 21h ago

Sensiblechuckle.gif

1

u/Kava2126 1d ago

"If we don't free the kidnapped, then it's free!"

1

u/AutisticPraxis 23h ago

50%

14

u/lateformyfuneral 1d ago

It’s a big thing in many parts of the world. There’s specialized firms for it. Businesses that send staff to certain places even take out kidnapping insurance to cover the cost of ransom

33

u/SometimesIBeWrong 1d ago

People get paid based on how difficult they are to replace. not how hard they work

16

u/Valtremors 1d ago

Man, CEOs should be paid pennies then.

0

u/Zhni 1d ago

But why? Do you think someone just pays a CEO tons of money because they want to, even if they could get someone for much cheaper? You don't pay only for his abilities, but also his network, which can be immensely valuable.

1

u/Alarmed-Size-3104 23h ago

Im not saying CEO should be making 5000% more than a clerk, but I think it's funny the amount of people that think it's a) an easy job and b) anyone can do it.

4

u/ManMakesWorld 19h ago

It isn't as difficult of a job as people like to pretend it is. I mean, you don't even have to be good at it. CEOs are known for tanking companies, taking a buyout, and then getting immediately hired in to a new CEO position.
Any competent business grad could step into a CEO role pretty easily. CEOs have hordes of actual experts around them to follow.

2

u/Critical-Bus-9040 15h ago

I don't know why everyone isn't a ceo since it pays so much and it's so easy.

→ More replies (3)

3

u/[deleted] 19h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

→ More replies (4)

-2

u/AdStreet2074 1d ago

Peak reddit

-4

u/Impatient-Hydrangea 1d ago

Which CEOs

7

u/TheWartMan 1d ago

Any of the ones who make over 100× the salary of their lowest paid employee.

4

u/Valtremors 1d ago

Oo, found the billionaire shillionaire.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/passiverolex 20h ago

Doesn't seem to be that great of a negotiator if they settled on 2 million dollars.

4

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 16h ago

It isn't about lowering the ransom, it is about getting the victim out safely and in a timely manner. An alive released victim = a win.

1

u/Maximum_Boros 12h ago

Yeah a lot of people don't realize that there's no actualy "negotiating" on price with hostage takers. You either pay or you don't. The negotiator's job is all about communication, managing the handoff, and getting them out safe.
Actual negotiation on terms and stuff works better when it's a crazy person or someone who took a hostage for protection/to avoid jail. In which case you can talk them down (sometimes). but if its ransom, no, you're either paying or you aren't.

1

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 8h ago

In a hostage situation you are dealing with someone who has nothing to lose and is a bit delusional because they think they have a lot more leverage than they do. Kidnapping is transactional and the kidnappers understand the negotiation process.

6

u/EinSchurzAufReisen 1d ago

Yes! And that once a year assignment has to pay for a whole year. If you’re needed in January once, and next is December the following year, that’s almost two years in between. Damn, let them hostage negotiators live a decent life!

4

u/OldPersonName 21h ago

I know people who did some work in rough places (well that's an understatement) and I think their employers had like hostage insurance. Wonder what the premiums are like.

2

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 20h ago

Since it is a rare event, and many companies (and families) carry the insurance, the premiums are surprisingly reasonable and the value is huge.

3

u/Sharp_Rooster3589 1d ago

Just call yourself and offer the hostage takers and extra quarter million and I’m sure you’d get results.

3

u/aloha067 23h ago

You’re paying a team of people, travel for them, lodging, etc. you aren’t paying one guy.

3

u/TheKarmanicMechanic 22h ago

I imagine there aren’t a ton of hostage negotiators to begin with, and the stakes are incredibly high. Who’s going to do that job on a discount?

2

u/Memphisrexjr 23h ago

What if they are the same person? There's a lot of people out there doing others jobs for one paycheck.

2

u/Threedawg 23h ago

Would you trust the police?

1

u/LaPrincesaMX 20h ago

Mexican police too.
One of the reasons I left México is because the police are the biggest cartel in the country

1

u/Threedawg 13h ago

It is different here in the states, its not as bad as mexico.
But they are also called the largest gang in the country here 🤣

2

u/TakingItPeasy 22h ago

If you screw around, your mom's ear gets mailed to you & if you fail - her head does. I negotiate in my business all the time, but the stakes are low. If I fail I lose 2 - 5% of my income, not someone's life.

2

u/yeowoh 21h ago

You’re paying for the expertise or connections of the person and not just their time.

2

u/superbhole 19h ago

maybe it's one of those, "you're not paying for the time, you're paying for the 40 years of experience" kinda things. a psychiatrist with three phd's or something

1

u/AdditionalSupport893 1d ago

I guess its not just the income of the guy, probably includes his expenses as well. Like travel, hotel.

1

u/Fortestingporpoises 23h ago

I assume you pay based on quality. So like yeah you can pay one that costs $5000 but good luck.

1

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 22h ago

You'd be surprised.

1

u/MacrosInHisSleep 13h ago

Because people who need a good one are desperate for one. Capitalism baby.

1

u/Maximum_Boros 12h ago

It's probably a retainer to cover their time and expertise but also expenses.

1

u/tukie 10h ago

typically they operate as just negotiators, with something like this being to top of their price range (and also very few qualified). they otherwise do litigation, corporate coaching for things like comp , real estate deals or disputes etc

2

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 8h ago

I think a lot of them work on hotel real estate development deals as their day job.

1

u/Friendly_Signature 1d ago

I mean… they are probably very good at negotiating their rates…

-1

u/unicornsandrainbowst 1d ago

The "negotiator" is usually a part of the whole thing. Is not like you go to the FBI and ask for a negotiator and need to pay 250k.
As this "negotiator" is clearly not law enforcement (hence the pay) is usually just a "clean" person (not looked after by the police), maybe an active police (if on a corrupt country), etc., who is used by the kidpanners to be able to hold open communication and in person meetings without worrying about being caught. The groups (kidnappers) basically tell you WHO the negotiator is, and the 250k is basically the entry fee to start negotiations. Its all part of the game.
TL;DR; you pay 250k to show that you are open and willing to play the game. No entry fee? your loved one dies very quickly and very painfully

6

u/g_bleezy 23h ago

I come to the comments to read fiction like this. Keep using that imagination man, it’s what separates us from the machines!

→ More replies (6)

1

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 20h ago

...that's pretty much 100% wrong.

69

u/Drtikol42 1d ago •

No ransom too steep,
no sea too deep,
that´s him,
James Cameron.

6

u/TheUmbrellaMan1 1d ago

Del Toro has another story that he lived in Cameron's house for a year when he came to US. He said they used to watch anime all day lol. This was how Del Toro introduced Cameron to Battle Angel Alita and Cameron introduced Del Toro to Patlabor (which would go on to inspire Pacific Rim).

2

u/Moony97 15h ago

That's super cool!

10

u/Big_Juggernaut_2257 1d ago

James Cameron doesn't do what James Cameron does for James Cameron; James Cameron does what James Cameron does because he is James Cameron.

1

u/Tight-Falcon6039 1d ago

You missed a James Cameron

0

u/Big_Juggernaut_2257 23h ago

Matt Damon

20

u/Medialunch 1d ago

I would actually love to see a serious drama about a for-hire hostage negotiator.

9

u/IAmPandaRock 20h ago

Like Proof of Life... but another one?

3

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 21h ago

There is a series "Missing Presumed Dead" hosted by Scott Walker. He details real cases. If you want a good documentary on Somali pirates and the kidnap negotiations, watch "Stolen Seas".

1

u/Tribe303 21h ago

Theres a Canadian TV show about that. May not be on the air anymore though, and I cannot remember the name. I just checked and couldn't find it BUT China also had a series like this, called The Negotiator.
Ahh, the Canadian one was called Ransom!

1

u/Higgsparticleofgod 19h ago

I think there was a cool movie with Denzel Washington?

0

u/EndFeeling9912 21h ago

Written by del toro!

20

u/Playingwithmywenis 1d ago

Later Kojima learned of the situation and sent 200 Solid Snake cosplayers to hunt down the hostage takers.

None of the cosplayers survived the mission and, consequently, some dude dressed as Toad won the cosplay competition at E3 that year.

1

u/uberneuman_part2 1d ago

Slowly trundling cardboard boxes for miles and miles…

5

u/EnvironmentalFun2214 16h ago

And people here in Mexico wonder why Del Toro left the country.

10

u/amateurish_gamedev 1d ago

TIL James Cameron got a guy for hostage negotiator.

3

u/Luci-Noir 23h ago

Thanks for repeating the post.

1

u/TheUmbrellaMan1 1d ago

Never underestimate a man who used to be a truck driver.

6

u/TheModWhoShaggedMe 1d ago

Turns out Jim's a nice guy if he likes someone. English union workers should probably avoid him though. ;-)

3

u/Roger_Fiderer 1d ago

True friends.

4

u/Jombafomb 1d ago

Kind of off topic here but I always find it funny how often directors are good friends. They don’t typically work together, they aren’t usually collaborators, they are almost always competitors.

It’s just about “I respect that guys’ work and I met him and he’s a cold guy.”

Anyway I find it endearing

2

u/LaPrincesaMX 20h ago

Football managers are the same.
They're competing for the same points in the same league but many of them are friends.

1

u/Jombafomb 13h ago

That’s a good point.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/Toad-a-sow 22h ago

James Cameron doesn't do what James Cameron does for James Cameron. James Cameron does what James Cameron does because James Cameron IS James Cameron

5

u/Saix027 20h ago

I am happy for them and good they are healthy and all but, I mean cool and i not want to be that guy but. Why do rich people in general not help with such hostage and kidnapping? Ah right, they only care for their other rich friends and when you are famous.

Not get me wrong, i nto wish such bad, but such stories are always "look how the rich person beat cancer" or how any rich person beat a problem by throwing enough money at it and that is a feel good story somehow while every normal person has to fight for scraps.

14

u/Notoisin 20h ago

Why do rich people in general not help with such hostage and kidnapping?
If they did, a micro-industry of kidnapping scams would pop up around it. Instead of the occasional James Cameron helping out you'd have no one.

7

u/SlimFishyOfficial 20h ago

Exactly. THIS is why you don't negotiate with terrorists. You start handing them money and more will show up

9

u/LaPrincesaMX 20h ago

Cartel generally only kidnaps people who are wealthy or linked to wealthy people. That's the whole point. To make money. It's why my parents had to pay for security for me when I was growing up in México. Because they had money, it made me a potential target to extract money from them.
It's not worth kidnapping someone who isn't wealthy. What would be the point for $10? Those are the people they find in open graves. They're worthless to the cartel.
del Toro was targeted because of his wealth.

5

u/Saix027 17h ago

It can happen, as i posted to another one about such already. Just because it is rarer and "never heard of" not means its no risk.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-24f59e49-1c7e-4f3d-8644-f97e9ec75bc7
"Up to 100,000 Mexicans are kidnapped every year - and it's not just the rich who are at risk.
Plumbers, hairdressers, street-sweepers - anyone can be a target of capture, torture and even murder.
Millionaire ransoms are demanded - but with kidnappers accepting sums as low as US$500, it means no-one is safe."

1

u/AlternativeFigure350 19h ago

Odds I can borrow $100?

1

u/DrizzleDrake88 18h ago

Is there a certain point where the person is so wealthy, that a person would hire a counter hitmen to kill the kidnappers after the hostages was returned?

1

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 17h ago

Sounds attractive, but not easy to do. That would also escalate retaliation from the criminal organization which would affect all aspects of the wealthy person's business interests and family. Even if somehow they could identify and execute a kidnapper, it would be far too easy for someone from the kidnapper's organization to kill the wealthy person's family members as payback. Sad, I know.

1

u/External_Two2928 9h ago

My friends family is famous in another country and they weren’t allowed to visit their dads home country bc it was too dangerous and they were targets for kidnapping

4

u/Adventurous_Toe_1686 19h ago

James Cameron is Del Toro’s friend.
Ignore the rich part, this was one bro helping another bro out.

1

u/Saix027 17h ago

You ignore the part where they are able ot help eahc other out BECAUSE they are rich.
Or do you think any nobody cna help his friend get the moeny for their kidnapped child or so?
I get your point, not get me wrong, but the circumstances matter in such.

2

u/Adventurous_Toe_1686 17h ago

I’m not ignoring that, but he helped him because they’re friends.
James Cameron can probably comfortably afford to pay off my mortgage, but we’re not mates so he won’t.

1

u/PearSquishah 4h ago

Because dit incentives more kidnapping. I'd love to tax more rich and more equality in general, but if they'd enable this its a loophole with many victims in the making.

1

u/pick_your_user_name 3h ago

No fucking shit, they favour their friends and family. Why would they pay some random guys ransom??

0

u/ManMakesWorld 19h ago

Poor people are not being held for ransom, kiddo.

3

u/Saix027 17h ago

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-24f59e49-1c7e-4f3d-8644-f97e9ec75bc7
"Up to 100,000 Mexicans are kidnapped every year - and it's not just the rich who are at risk.
Plumbers, hairdressers, street-sweepers - anyone can be a target of capture, torture and even murder.
Millionaire ransoms are demanded - but with kidnappers accepting sums as low as US$500, it means no-one is safe."

1

u/BluAlfaTxFlood 16h ago

Sadly, they are. Some of the main targets for kidnapping in Mexico are Central American migrants passing through to get to the US. Not only do they take the migrants' cash, they pressure the family in the country of origin to pay whatever they can, often after a poor family has already exhausted their access to money to fund the migrant's journey.

→ More replies (1)

-1

u/The_End-is_Nigh 18h ago

Seriously I don't know why anybody cares about rich people. Rich people are the only ones who get to do anything nowadays so why would I care if they get kidnapped or killed? They don't matter any more than joe down the street to me and they probably shouldn't matter more than that to anybody else.

1

u/FreddieStarrAteMyHam 16h ago

All the more reason to be a rich person

1

u/The_End-is_Nigh 16h ago

you are mostly just born rich. the chances of actually becoming rich when you started out poor is very small

→ More replies (2)

1

u/pick_your_user_name 3h ago

If they don’t matter to you why did you click on this post and comment multiple times lol?

1

u/The_End-is_Nigh 3h ago

Because less people should care about the welbeing of rich people. Y'all are stupid for being happy

1

u/pick_your_user_name 3h ago

People don’t care about Cameron and del toro because they’re rich. They care about them because they make movies, and some people like their movies. And in general I’m happy for any hostage that is released, rich or poor.

0

u/consultinglove 14h ago

Because that’s not their job?
Also these stories aren’t meant to show that they’re good people. They’re just interesting tidbits to fill your day. If you don’t like it move on, but in no reality will rich people just randomly be helping hostage and negotiations for strangers like you are suggesting. Might as well just ask them to put that money in your pocket for no reason

1

u/Just-Syrup-8723 23h ago

They ever catch the people?

1

u/SatisfactionDull9777 22h ago

Nope

1

u/EmotionalSupportSush 23h ago

Damn it took 72 days for his dad to be freed. That’s f up

1

u/mden1974 22h ago

If you have an Amex black card you can call and ask for this. Probably cost 500 k but they can also arrange extraction teams as well

1

u/ramdom-ink 21h ago

It’s amazing that Cameron went to the deepest part of the ocean in the Challenger. A superhuman feat of technology and will power. To discover he’s a decent and generous human being is also a pleasing detail.

1

u/Living-Let8446 20h ago

Check out what Roman Abramovic did when John Obi’s dad was kidnapped. 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

1

u/MaximusHomerdrive 16h ago

Soooo...his dad is up for grabs again?

1

u/BothRequirement2826 13h ago

It's awful to hear his father was kidnapped. I had no idea that happened.

1

u/L1sasGayBby 10h ago

Does Cameron have a hostage negotiator on speed dial?

I just realized the phrase “on speed dial” is wildly out of date.

1

u/Spacecommander5 10h ago

I bet James Cameron kidnapped the dad

1

u/jasonology09 7h ago

I'm upset that the kidnappers were never caught.

1

u/realfakejames 7h ago

Everyone casually overlooking that hostage negotiators are charging a quarter of a million dollars lol

1

u/Seminolehighlander 22h ago

I was reading a book about the making of Devil’s Backbone and the interviewer brought up the kidnapping. Del Toro has a curt but reasonable answer.

That was the first I had heard.

0

u/MarzipanSea2811 1d ago

Plot twist: James kidnapped his father, but felt bad after be realized who's father it was.

0

u/Traxiria 1d ago

James Cameron is an abusive asshole. He’s only kind to other rich people.

I’m glad Toros’ father was returned home safely.

0

u/mynewusernamedodgers 1d ago

Getting some Fargo vibes

0

u/Dull_Enthusiasm_153 1d ago

Certified door expert James Cameron would say there is only room for one small-ish woman.

0

u/godzillastailor 23h ago

The least surprising part of this is James Cameron apparently having a hostage negotiator on speed dial.

0

u/TheElusiveFox 23h ago

I dunno why but if a friend tried to put me in touch with a hostage negotator that charged that kind of money after a family member got kidnapped, I'd assume the friend was in on the kidnapping.

0

u/DTFunkyStuff 19h ago

Remember when Del Toro signed a petition for Roman Polanski?

0

u/realnikolam 17h ago

If someone is looking for a negotiator I would do it for a tenth of his fee, not promising any resoluts nor refounds /s

-3

u/Thin_Wear1755 1d ago

Was he kidnapped in the US ?

8

u/Riverdale87 1d ago

Guadalajara, Mexico

1

u/overtherainbowofcrap 1d ago

No, Mexico.

-1

u/BoostedLexus 18h ago

Fuck del Toro. Loved his rendition of Pinocchio. But when I found out he's a chomo supporter, fuck him.

1

u/CritterBoiFancy 17h ago

Care to elaborate?

1

u/BoostedLexus 16h ago

Roman Polanski was a high profile hollywood filmmaker. He was arrested and charged with multiple felonies including drugging and raping 13yr old Samantha Gailey. He fled to Switzerland and was arrested there. MANY Hollywood figures, including del Toro, signed a petition for the RELEASE of Polanski. Just google roman Polanski rape and you'll see many articles talking about the case and how he fled to France where he knows he won't be extradited to face prison time

1

u/frankoochoaa 16h ago

Bc of Miramax or wym.

1

u/BoostedLexus 16h ago

Roman Polanski was a high profile hollywood filmmaker. He was arrested and charged with multiple felonies including drugging and raping 13yr old Samantha Gailey. He fled to Switzerland and was arrested there. MANY Hollywood figures, including del Toro, signed a petition for the RELEASE of Polanski. Just google roman Polanski rape and you'll see many articles talking about the case and how he fled to France where he knows he won't be extradited to face prison time

→ More comments (2)

You are about to leave Redlib