James Cameron units document straight on Matt Damon ‘Avatar’ casting position

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James Cameron is setting the document straight on casting selections for certainly one of his most iconic films.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, the 71-year-old director addressed earlier claims made by Matt Damon that he was supplied a task in "Avatar," and a proportion of the movie's gross, however needed to flip it down as a result of he was filming one of many "Jason Bourne" films.

"He was by no means supplied the half," Cameron mentioned. "I can’t keep in mind if I despatched him the script or not. I don’t assume I did? Then we wound up on a name and he mentioned, ‘I like to discover doing a film with you. I've quite a lot of respect for you as a filmmaker. ['Avatar'] sounds intriguing. However I actually have to do that ‘Jason Bourne’ film. I’ve agreed to it, it’s a direct battle, and so, regretfully, I've to show it down.’"

"However he was by no means supplied," Cameron continued. "There was by no means a deal. We by no means talked concerning the character. We by no means received to that degree. It was merely an availability subject."

Cameron units the document straight on Damon's claims he was supplied an element in "Avatar." (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Photographs)

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The "Titanic" director went on so as to add that if getting a proportion of the movie's gross revenue is what it will have taken to get Damon to comply with star within the movie, "then it wouldn’t have occurred. Belief me on that."

Regardless of by no means having supplied him the position, Cameron counseled Damon for turning down the chance to work with him as a result of he was already connected to a different movie, and for calling him personally to let him know.

"He mentioned he didn’t need it to return from the agent — that’s an honorable man," Cameron mentioned. "So all respect to Matt. I’d like to work with him sometime. However that by no means occurred. It was a conflation of various issues that have been taking place."

Cameron then let Damon "off the hook," telling the actor he "doesn’t should beat himself up anymore," and warranted him he "didn’t miss something."

Damon as soon as mentioned he was supplied 10 % of "Avatar." (Angela Weiss/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)

Damon beforehand claimed he nearly starred within the movie, saying "Jim Cameron referred to as me — he supplied me 10% of 'Avatar.'"

"You'll by no means meet an actor who turned down extra money than me … I used to be in the midst of taking pictures the 'Bourne' film and I must depart the film sort of early and depart them within the lurch slightly bit and I didn’t wish to try this," he mentioned. "[Cameron] was actually beautiful, he mentioned: ‘For those who don’t do that, this film doesn’t really want you. It doesn’t want a film star in any respect. The film is the star, the thought is the star, and it’s going to work. However in case you do it, I’ll provide you with 10 % of the film.'"

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The position in the end went to Sam Worthington, who reprised the character within the movie's two sequels.

"Avatar" went on to make $2.74 billion on the box office worldwide , changing into the highest-grossing movie of all time in 2010, when it surpassed "Titanic." It saved the document for the highest-grossing movie ever for 9 years, earlier than "Avengers: Endgame" took the highest spot in April 2019, making $2.79 billion.

The lead position finally went to Sam Worthington. (Pietro D'Aprano/Getty Photographs)

It later reclaimed the highest spot when it was re-released in theaters. Additionally included on the record are "Avenger Infinity Warfare" and "Avatar: The Approach of Water."

Actress Zoe Saldaña stars in all 4 movies, enjoying Neytiri within the "Avatar" collection, and superhero Gamora within the "Avengers" movies , making her the one actor to star in 4 movies which grossed over $2 billion on the international field workplace.

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Saldana is the primary actress to star in 4 films that revamped $2 billion on the worldwide field workplace. (Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis by way of Getty Photographs)

"I really feel grateful and just like the luckiest lady on this city understanding that I used to be invited to hitch movies with particular administrators in a particular forged," she informed Deadline in December 2022, about showing in many various franchises.

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"They usually resonated with folks a lot, in order that we get an opportunity to return again once more and are available again one other time," she added. "If something, I've reaped all the advantages of that — I've gained associates. I nonetheless have mentors that I name, and I lean into."