Matt Damon revealed that he turned down Sam Worthington’s Jake Sully role in Avatar.
Apart from the Bourne franchise, Matt Damon is one of the few actors who has stayed away from massive films. Matt Damon did make a cameo appearance in Thor: Ragnarok, but the actor hasn’t committed to a franchise like Star Wars, Marvel, or DC. Given Matt Damon’s A-list status as an actor, he’s been offered many coveted roles in the past. One of them was Avatar, which was led by Sam Worthington.
Matt Damon also declined the role of Daredevil before Ben Affleck signed along. Sam Worthington famously played Jake Sully in the first Avatar and will return for its sequels, but there is an alternate reality where Matt Damon played him. Matt Damon shared with British GQ that James Cameron pursued him for the Avatar lead role:
“Jim Cameron offered me Avatar, and when he offered it to me, he goes, ‘Now, listen. I don’t need anybody. I don’t need a name for this, a named actor. If you don’t take this, I’m going to find an unknown actor and give it to him, because the movie doesn’t really need you. But if you take the part, I’ll give you 10 percent of… I couldn’t do it — but Cameron said to me in the course of that conversation, ‘Well, you know, I’ve only made six movies.’ I didn’t realize that.”
That unknown actor James Cameron ended up choosing for Jake Sully was, of course, Sam Worthington. Avatar ended up becoming one of the most successful films of all time. In the interview, Matt Damon did say that he regrets not working with James Cameron on Avatar, but understands his career has been just fine without it.
Do you wish Matt Damon played Jake Sully instead of Sam Worthington in Avatar? Do you think Matt Damon will ever join a DC, Marvel, or Star Wars film? If so, which one? Sound off in the comments below!
Plot details remain under wraps for Avatar 2, however, the sequels will further bring the world of Pandora to life and expand Cameron’s vision they explore new locations on the planet not seen in the first film. The sequels are said to be four standalone experiences that will form together one epic saga that James Cameron has spent the last several years writing.
Avatar 2 stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, Matt Gerland, and C. C. H. Pounder are all returning for the sequels along with newcomers Cliff Curtis and Oona Chaplin.
Sam Worthington’s Avatar 2 is currently slated to hit theaters on December 18, 2020, with the additional three follow-ups releasing on December 17, 2021, December 20, 2024, and December 19, 2025.
Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for all the latest news on all the upcoming Avatar sequels!
Source: British GQ
