Chris Evans and Channing Tatum Fought for Role in Avatar, but James Cameron Sent Them Off After he Heard This Line

Sam Worthington beat out Chris Evans and Channing Tatum in the battle for the role in Avatar, by saying one line that delighted Cameron.

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Aleksandra Wosz06 September 2023

Source: Avatar; James Cameron; 20th Century Fox; 2009

Avatar is an epic spectacle well known to movie lovers. The movie's most loyal enthusiasts have surely heard more than one story from the set or casting. One particularly notorious one is Matt Damon's resignation from the role due to commitments to the Bourne series. Despite his regrets, the actor turned down the engagement and the proposed 10% of the profits, which, when converted, adds up to a stunning total of $250 million.

Ultimately, the then unknown Australian actor Sam Worthington was cast in the lead role, who, as it turned out, snatched it from the hands of Hollywood stars. Participants in the casting for Avatar included Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Pratt and Chris Pine, among others. However, the latter two mentioned that they made an average impression at the auditions. The strongest candidates were Chris Evan, Channing Tatum and the aforementioned Sam Worthington.

Years after these events, director James Cameron told Empire why familiar names were dropped and a new face, not yet known in Hollywood, was relied upon. Worthington won the casting thanks to one point. The actor spoke with an intens captivated Cameron.

"Chris Evans, Sam Worthington and Channing Tatum. That was my choice. I really liked Channing's charm. I liked the charm of Chris. They were both great guys. But Sam had voice quality and intensity. They all did good on lines from the script, except for the final speech, in which he [Sam] stands up and says: 'You ride out as fast as the wind can carry you. You tell the other clans to come. Tell them Toruk Macto calls to them!' That's all. I would have followed him into battle. And I wouldn't have followed the other guys. They have since gone on to fantastic careers and so on, but Sam was ready. He was ready."

The director also explained that engaging a lesser-known actor was a deliberate move. By doing so, Cameron wanted viewers to see Jake Sully as a character rather than a Hollywood star. Collaborating with someone very recognizable would also likely have caused technical difficulties. Recreating a well-known face as an avatar could prove very problematic.

Avatar and its sequel Avatar: The Way of Water are available on Disney+.

RELATED TOPICS: actors Avatar (James Cameron) Disney+ / Disney Plus James Cameron Avatar: The Way of Water

Aleksandra Wosz

She began her adventure with professional writing at Filmomaniak in December 2022, where she focused on movie and series news. A passionate musical lover, who has to watch Hamilton at least once a year. An fan of Dan Brown's books, The Office series, and The Umbrella Academy. And it all started when little Ola watched with fascination as her parents played the first Tomb Raider games, or "the farmer" - more widely known as Harvest Moon. She reached the point where she understood that she has the chance to taste millions of lives through various works.

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