James Cameron Debunks Infamous Matt Damon ‘Avatar’ Rumor

James Cameron has insisted Matt Damon “was never offered” the lead role in Avatar.

Matt Damon has said he passed on a significant amount of money by not taking a role in the 2009 fantasy film, eventually played by Sam Worthington. However, the director insists Damon was only discussed for the part and never actually received a formal offer.

Cameron shared with The Hollywood Reporter that Matt Damon was never actually offered the role. He wasn’t even sure if he’d sent Damon the script. Eventually, they spoke by phone, and Damon explained he was very interested in working with Cameron and thought Avatar sounded exciting. However, he’d already committed to the Jason Bourne movie, creating a scheduling conflict, and had to decline the offer, much to his regret.

He wasn’t ever considered for the role, and we never even discussed it. It wasn’t a matter of negotiation or interest in the character; it just came down to scheduling conflicts.

A recent online video reveals that Damon discussed almost starring in Avatar, but he chose to make the first Bourne film, The Bourne Identity (2002), instead.

He recounted that James Cameron contacted him and proposed giving him 10% of the profits from Avatar. He stated that he’s never known an actor to decline a larger potential payout than he did.

I was filming the Bourne movie, and I didn’t want to abruptly leave production and put the filmmakers in a difficult position.

Cameron was very kind and explained that the film wouldn’t rely on a big star—the story itself was the focus, and he believed it would succeed either way. However, he offered me 10% of the film’s profits if I decided to participate.

Since its release in 2009, Avatar has earned $2.9 billion, making it one of the highest-grossing films ever. Actor Matt Damon could have potentially made millions of dollars from a 10% share of the profits.

Cameron strongly insists the actor would never have received such an offer. He explained to The Hollywood Reporter that the actor took a basic idea – getting 10% of a film’s total earnings – and expanded on it.

If James Cameron thought he needed to compromise his vision to make Avatar, he wouldn’t have made it – I’m certain of that. So he shouldn’t feel bad about not pursuing a different path. It’s alright, Matt, you didn’t lose out on anything worthwhile.

The filmmaker finished by saying they have a lot of respect for Matt and would enjoy collaborating with him in the future, but that just didn’t work out. It was a combination of several unrelated issues that prevented it.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is now playing in theaters everywhere.

25 Actors Who Turned Down Huge Movie Roles

Halle Berry – Speed’s Annie

Halle Berry recently admitted she regretted turning down the lead role in the movie Speed. She simply said, “I stupidly said no,” which allowed Sandra Bullock, who was just starting her career at the time, to take the part. Speed became a huge success and launched Bullock to stardom. Berry explained that the script she read had a very different plot – the bus never actually left the parking lot, which made the story seem much less thrilling.

Emily Blunt – Black Widow

Emily Blunt seems ideally suited for a role in a Marvel movie, given her charm, comedic timing, and experience in action films. It’s surprising she hasn’t appeared in one yet, but it’s not for lack of trying. She was actually offered the part of Black Widow in Iron Man 2, but had to decline because she was already committed to filming Gulliver’s Travels. Blunt admitted she was disappointed, saying it was a difficult decision. Ultimately, Scarlett Johansson took on the role of Natasha Romanoff and went on to play her in eight Marvel films.

Jessica Chastain – Maya Hansen

After appearing in critically acclaimed films like The Tree of Life and Zero Dark Thirty, Jessica Chastain became a highly sought-after actress, even attracting attention from Marvel Studios. They offered her the role of Maya Hansen, a key scientist in Iron Man 3. While initially interested, Chastain ultimately declined, citing a busy schedule in a Facebook post. She also expressed frustration that news of her potential casting had been leaked prematurely, hoping to work with Marvel on a future project. That future project eventually came with Fox’s Dark Phoenix, where she played Vuk, but not with Marvel. Rebecca Hall ultimately played Maya Hansen and did a great job with the role.

Russell Crowe – Wolverine

Before Hugh Jackman became known as Wolverine, Russell Crowe was the first actor considered for the role. At the time, Crowe was a major star, but he turned down the part after starring in Gladiator. He felt the wolf imagery in that film was similar to the character of Wolverine and didn’t want to be typecast as a “wolfy” character. Crowe suggested Jackman for the role, though Dougray Scott was initially cast before dropping out due to scheduling conflicts with Mission: Impossible II. Eventually, Jackman landed the role and became famous for it. Years later, Crowe joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder, while Hugh Jackman continues to be known as Wolverine.

Matt Damon – Avatar’s Jake Sully

Matt Damon might be the actor who’s lost the most money by turning down a role. When James Cameron was casting Avatar, he offered Damon 10% of the film’s profits – a huge incentive. However, Damon was already committed to the Bourne movies and had to decline. He now estimates that decision cost him around $250 million. That’s a lot of money – enough to buy a massive amount of the fictional unobtanium from the film!

Benicio Del Toro – Darth Maul

Benicio Del Toro initially agreed to play Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. However, as the film developed, George Lucas reduced the character’s dialogue, envisioning him as a powerful, silent fighter. Del Toro then chose to withdraw from the project, and Ray Park ultimately took on the role, earning widespread praise for his performance.

Leonardo DiCaprio – Boogie Nights’ Dirk Diggler

In a 2008 interview with GQ, Leonardo DiCaprio was asked about roles he’d passed on. He mentioned Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights, revealing he could have played the role of porn star Dirk Diggler – the part that ultimately made Mark Wahlberg a star. DiCaprio had to choose between that and a smaller, independent film called Titanic. While he doesn’t regret his decision, he admitted he wished he could have done both movies, calling them both “great.”

Harrison Ford – Jurassic Park’s Alan Grant

If you noticed similarities between Jurassic Park’s Alan Grant, known for his practical clothing, and Indiana Jones, you weren’t wrong. Director Steven Spielberg originally wanted Harrison Ford to play the paleontologist, but Ford turned down the role. Sam Neill stepped in just weeks before filming started and ultimately made the part one of his most famous roles.

Jon Hamm – Green Lantern

Jon Hamm, the star of Mad Men, was considered the perfect choice to play Green Lantern, as many fans felt he looked exactly like the comic book character. Warner Bros. actively pursued him for the role, but Hamm wasn’t interested. He later explained that while he was approached repeatedly, he simply didn’t want to do it, admitting he’s not a fan of superhero movies. Interestingly, despite not enjoying superhero films, Hamm has voiced characters in several animated comic book series, including Invincible and M.O.D.O.K., where he played Tony Stark in multiple episodes.

Josh Hartnett – Superman AND Batman

Josh Hartnett was a strong contender to play Superman in Superman Returns, and he was even offered a deal worth around $100 million to star in three movies. Surprisingly, he turned it down. In fact, Hartnett also had the chance to play Batman in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, making him the only actor to decline roles as both Superman and Batman. Years later, he admitted turning down Nolan was a mistake, explaining to Playboy that he was simply burnt out and wanted to prioritize spending time with loved ones – something not often encouraged in Hollywood.

Jim Henson – Yoda

George Lucas originally wanted Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, to bring Yoda to life as a puppet. However, Henson was already committed to other projects. He recommended Frank Oz, a frequent Muppets collaborator who performed characters like Fozzy Bear, Miss Piggy, and Animal. Lucas took his advice, and the result became iconic. (You could even say, history, the rest was, hmm?)

Hugh Jackman – James Bond

Finding the right actor to play a young James Bond for the film Casino Royale was a long process, with hundreds of candidates considered. Ultimately, Daniel Craig was chosen and went on to become one of the most beloved 007s of all time. Interestingly, the role was first offered to Hugh Jackman, not long after he started playing Wolverine in the X-Men movies. He declined, reportedly because he didn’t want to commit to another major franchise and risk missing out on smaller, more diverse projects. Now that Amazon is searching for a new James Bond, Hugh, maybe it’s time to give them a call!

Heath Ledger – Batman

Heath Ledger famously played the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight and received widespread praise for his performance. Interestingly, Nolan initially considered Ledger for the role of Batman, offering him the part of Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. Ledger politely declined, telling Nolan he wasn’t interested in superhero films. However, after seeing Nolan’s darker, more realistic approach in Batman Begins, Ledger changed his mind and accepted the role of the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Madonna – Catwoman

I was such a huge Madonna fan in the early 90s, and it totally blew my mind when I found out Tim Burton wanted her to be Catwoman in Batman Returns! Seriously, can you imagine? It would have been the perfect casting. But she actually turned it down! She later admitted to Jimmy Fallon that she regretted it, saying it would have been a “fierce” role. Of course, Michelle Pfeiffer ended up playing Catwoman, and she was incredible, but I always wondered what Madonna would have brought to the part.

Matthew McConaughey – Ego

When Marvel needed to cast Star-Lord’s father in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, they wanted a well-known actor who could believably be Chris Pratt’s dad. Matthew McConaughey seemed like a good fit, even though he’s only ten years older than Pratt. For an immortal space god, though, age wasn’t a huge concern! McConaughey ultimately turned down the role, not because of the age gap, but because he was also considering The Dark Tower. He chose The Dark Tower – a decision many regret. He felt Marvel didn’t have a strong vision for the character of Ego and saw the role as simply a way to add another famous face to a successful movie.

Eddie Murphy – Who Framed Roger Rabbit’s Eddie Valiant

Today, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is celebrated for its innovative combination of live-action and animation. But back when it was first proposed, it was a huge gamble. Imagine trying to convince someone that you could create a full-length movie where cartoon characters realistically interact with human actors. That’s what filmmakers attempted, and Eddie Murphy was skeptical. He initially turned down the lead role of Eddie Valian, famously telling Jay Leno, “Animation and humans? That sounds like nonsense!” The movie proved to be a massive success, and Murphy later admitted he regretted his decision. He confessed to Jimmy Fallon that he feels “like an idiot” every time he watches it.

Al Pacino – Han Solo

As a movie fan, it’s almost impossible for me to picture anyone but Harrison Ford as Han Solo – poor Alden Ehrenreich can probably attest to that! But get this – Ford wasn’t the first choice at all. George Lucas actually tried to get Al Pacino, who was already huge after The Godfather, to play the lovable rogue. Pacino turned it down, saying he just didn’t get the script. It’s wild to think how different things could be if Pacino had said yes and Ford hadn’t gotten the role!

Joaquin Phoenix – Doctor Strange

As a huge Marvel fan, I always found it fascinating to learn about the casting process for Doctor Strange. Apparently, the search for the right Sorcerer Supreme took a while – they considered Ethan Hawke, Oscar Isaac, and even Keanu Reeves! Joaquin Phoenix actually got pretty far, entering talks with director Scott Derrickson back in 2014. But the deal fell through by October, and Benedict Cumberbatch ended up snagging the role. Phoenix later said everyone was happy with how things worked out, which is pretty true when you consider he then went on to play the Joker for Warner Bros. and won an Oscar for it! Yeah, everyone was definitely satisfied… at least until talk of a Joker sequel started!

Julia Roberts – Sleepless in Seattle’s Annie

Everyone knows the classic movie Sleepless in Seattle, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, about a long-distance romance. Interestingly, Julia Roberts – arguably as popular as Meg Ryan in romantic comedies – turned down the female lead. Years later, Roberts explained she didn’t regret the decision, feeling the role was too similar to her previous hit, Pretty Woman.

Kurt Russell – Luke Skywalker

Many aspiring actors tried out for Star Wars in the 1970s, and Kurt Russell, a former child star, was a strong contender for the part of Luke Skywalker. As the search went on, Russell received other job offers and ultimately gave George Lucas a choice: cast him as Luke, or he’d take another role. Lucas couldn’t commit, so Russell famously told him he was going to star in a Western, reducing Lucas’s options. It makes you wonder how many thank-you gifts Mark Hamill has sent Kurt Russell over the years!

Will Smith – Neo

I always found it fascinating learning about the casting of The Matrix. Apparently, the Wachowskis first approached Will Smith for the role of Neo! He actually met with them and heard their idea, but ultimately he decided to make Wild Wild West instead. Years later, he explained that he was hesitant because, at the time, the Wachowskis only had one film under their belts. He said it was a tough call, because there’s a big difference between a brilliant idea and a pitch that actually feels brilliant in a meeting, and he wasn’t quite convinced back then. Looking back, it’s amazing to think how things could have been different!

John Travolta – Forrest Gump

When John Travolta agreed to star in Pulp Fiction, he had to turn down another film that would have filmed at the same time: Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump. Both movies went on to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, and while Forrest Gump ultimately won (starring Tom Hanks), Pulp Fiction proved to be a turning point for Travolta, revitalizing his career. He later said he didn’t regret his decision. (If you had to choose, which film would you prefer – Pulp Fiction or Forrest Gump?)

Paul Walker – Superman

Paul Walker was a rising star thanks to The Fast and the Furious when he was considered for the role of Superman in Superman Returns. He actually had the chance to play the iconic hero, but he ultimately decided against it. He later explained to ComingSoon.net that a conversation with director Richard Donner – who had previously directed Christopher Reeve in Superman and also worked with Walker on Timeline – helped him make his decision. Walker asked Donner if he should take the role just for the money, but Donner advised him to only do it if he genuinely wanted to. Walker worried about being typecast as Superman, and Donner’s response confirmed his feelings – leading him to pass on the opportunity. That’s why Paul Walker wasn’t in Superman Returns.

Denzel Washington – Michael Clayton

In a 2012 interview with GQ, Denzel Washington admitted he initially hesitated about working with Michael Clayton’s first-time director. He ultimately chose George Clooney for the role, which became one of Clooney’s most recognizable performances. Washington later told GQ he regretted his initial doubts, stating simply, “I was wrong. It happens.”

Bruce Willis – Ghost’s Sam

Bruce Willis initially doubted the script for Ghost – a story about a man trying to connect with his wife after death – and thought it wouldn’t be a success. He was proven wrong, as Ghost became the highest-grossing film of 1990 and the most-rented VHS in 1991. Willis jokingly called himself a “knucklehead” for almost turning down the role. When offered the lead in The Sixth Sense, he happily accepted, not wanting to repeat his mistake.

2025-12-19 19:32