Matt Damon is once again thinking about one of the biggest mistakes he made in his career: turning down Avatar.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Oscar-winning actor talked about why he turned down a part in James Cameron’s 2009 sci-fi hit. He said it was the dumbest thing an actor has ever done in the history of acting.
Damon, who is 54 years old, said this while he and Avatar star Zoë Saldaña were promoting their new initiative, a Stella Artois commercial. It was only natural that the movie Avatar come up, since it is one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. The epic is now the second-highest-grossing movie of all time, making more than $3.5 billion worldwide.
Saldaña remarked in a soothing way, “I don’t think your career suffered because of it.” Damon then joked, “Do you know what kind of movie that would have been if I had been in it?”
Sam Worthington, who was not well known at the time, played Jake Sully in the major role. Damon, on the other hand, has spent years making jokes (and sometimes being sad) about his choice to turn down the role.
Saldaña has starred in several movies that made more than $2 billion, including Avatar, Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame, and Infinity War. Damon said, “I’ve probably done about 50 movies,” and commended her stellar career. I’ve never been in a movie that made that much money.
Saldaña said, “I didn’t plan it, trust me.” I just feel lucky that I was chosen since I worked hard and tried out. I’m not Matt Damon. I can’t say no to Avatars.
Damon has talked about what might be the most expensive “no” of his career before. He remembered Cameron’s direct pitch in an interview with British GQ in 2019.
“I got Avatar from Jim Cameron,” Damon said. “Now, listen,” he added as he handed it to me. No one is necessary for me. There is no need to name this. The movie doesn’t really need you, so if you don’t take it, I’ll give it to a little-known actor.
Cameron then made the deal even better: “If you take the part, I’ll give you 10%.”
If Damon had taken the 10 percent, he might have made more than $250 million, which is clearly still bothering him.