Jake Gyllenhaal, Matt Damon Turned Down 'Avatar'

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 23rd 2010 03:20PM

At this point, 'Avatar' wouldn't be the same without Sam Worthington playing the lead. But director James Cameron recently revealed to the L.A. Times that he initially wanted to cast Matt Damon or Jake Gyllenhaal -- who both turned down the role. Wonder if they're regretting that right now?

'Avatar' has already racked up over $2.05 billion at the worldwide box office and scored nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The movie also walked away with a few Golden Globe Awards, winning for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director.

It comes as no surprise then that director James Cameron already has a sequel in the works. Maybe Damon and Gyllenhaal will get a second chance?

"I haven't started thinking about the story yet, although I have a general story arc for it," Cameron said during an appearence on 'Larry King Live.' "But we have had some technical discussion of how we would do it."

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Jake Gyllenhaal Photos

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Jake Gyllenhaal (C) attends a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 8, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jake Gyllenhaal

Getty Images

Getty Images North America

Jake Gyllenhaal Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Jake Gyllenhaal (R) attends a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 8, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Jake Gyllenhaal attends a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 8, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal Snapshots

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal attends an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-89.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Jake Gyllenhaal Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Actor Vince Vaughn (C) talks with actor Jake Gyllenhaal (L) and producer Jerry Bruckheimer during intermission during the game between the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings on January 19, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vince Vaughn;Jake Gyllenhaal;Jerry Bruckheimer

Jake Gyllenhaal Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Actor Jake Gyllenhaal (L) and producer Jerry Bruckheimer watch the game between the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings on January 19, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jake Gyllenhaal;Jerry Bruckheimer

Jake Gyllenhaal Snapshots

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Jake Gyllenhaal looks back as he is escorted out of LAX by a police officer. NON-EXCLUSIVE December 3rd, 2010 Job: 100103NR1 Los Angeles, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Jake Gyllenhaal Snapshots

Tags: Avatar, jake gyllenhaal, james cameron, matt damon

Comments

(31)

Tuesday 23 February

By Scytherius

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Hey guys, on these polls could we have an "I don't care" option?

Wednesday 24 February

By Angie

THANK YOU!! A third option definitely should be "don't care" or at least "other." Way to limit a poll!

By Michael

Please.......Let's have a "Who Cares?".

By monique

Sam Washington was the RIGHT CHOICE I don't think Matt or Jake would of brought the character to life

By scytherius

He did do an awesome job, didn't he?

By calihotie22

Sam Worthington not Washington

By leolux10

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Screw Matt & Jake (not literally)!!! They've missed their chance.

He did an hell of an job

By paul

If I had a dollar for every star who turned down a movie role and regretted it because the film, with someone else starring became a huge hit, I'd be wintering in the Bahamas now, instead of Colorado. In all reality, either Damon, Jake or anyone of that genre, including Worthington, would have done the job. That's why they're called "actors".!!!

By suzycreamcheese

doubt if Jake G cares. They had to close the Brothers set for awhile, though he did go on to Prince of Persia.

By Maddy

Vote down Vote up Report this

Thats actuall really funny. The movie was a huge success and i would bet my life that they regret not taking that role. Sam Washington was an excellent choice and i know for a fact that the director had no regrets.

By lucalla95630

Who the hell is Sam Washington?

By Brad

So? Actors make bad choices all the time. They don't have a crystal ball to know what is successful and what isn't? They are no different from the average guy on the street.

Hahahaha!!!!! XD

Who Cares? Both of these shows are moronic and insult peoples intelligence.

By Kate

Does anyone else realize that the photo of the character is the girl, not him?

By Threewolfy

Anytime a movie makes a lot of money, people think the actors that turned the roles down regret that. Maybe neither one does, though. They both have plenty of money and honestly, it wasn't that great of a movie.

By Chris Cooper

Just guessing but with all the films Damon is in that are being released now he most likely didn't have the time to do it ,,,that being said however doesn't take away my opinion that if he were to be the lead actor in Avatar the viewers would sink themselves more into "his" facial expressions and acting therefore reducing the other parts of the movie in the minds of the viewing audience ie. the story,cinematography, ect... I like Damon and go to the movies he is in tho. In this case "The Showcase" was the film,,,as it should have been... And to answer the age old question of How do you like them apples ? I replie in Good o apple pie.

By FRAN

The two choices given to us - suck!!!!

By wendellynnp

The movie was fantastic. I loved all the characters. I especially loved when the animal characters got mad and their ears pinned back like a dog or cat. I laughed myself silly. I wish humans could do that. Other humans would back off in a heartbeat.
Sourgney Weaver(spelling?) is always good in sci-fi movies.
Great all around flick.

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