Matt Damon calls turning down ‘Avatar’ role ‘the dumbest thing ever’

Even more than a decade later, Matt Damon continues to chastise himself for turning down a role in James Cameron’s Avatar. Speaking to Avatar co-star Zoe Saldana, the actor said it was the “dumbest thing an actor has ever done.”

Damon also praised Saldana for appearing in several films that have grossed more than $2 billion at the box office. The closest the actor came to grossing $1 billion was Interstellar, which brought in $673 million. Cameron himself said he comforted Damon over the decision, which cost him 10% of the film’s profits.

Read on to learn more.

Matt Damon Says Rejection Was ‘Stupidest Thing’

Matt Damon recently interviewed her Fun tonight for a Stella Artois promotional campaign with “Avatar” star Zoe Saldana. During their conversation, Damon said that turning down a role in 2009’s “Avatar” was “the dumbest thing an actor has ever done in the history of acting.”

The 52-year-old would have made around $250 million if he took on the role of Jake Sully, eventually played by Sam Worthington. Saldana, who played Neytiri, tried to reassure Damon by saying, “I don’t think your career has suffered because of this, trust me.”

But the “Good Will Hunting” star refused to stop sulking over the loss. He asked: Do you know what kind of movie it would have been if I was in it? Starring Worthington and Saldana, “Avatar” grossed about $2.9 billion.

“I’ve never been in a movie that made $1 billion.”

During their conversation, Damon also praised Saldana for being in several movies that have grossed more than $2 billion. These include the original ‘Avatar’, its sequel ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ and Avengers films such as ‘Infinity War’ and ‘Endgame’.

Saldana said: “I didn’t plan it, believe me – I just always felt blessed to be chosen, to work hard and to be auditioned. I’m not Matt Damon. I can’t turn Avatar down.” Damon replied, “I’ve probably done 50 movies. I’ve never been in a movie that made $1 billion.”

The closest the actor came to making $1 billion was Interstellar, which earned $673 million at the box office. “The Mars” grossed about $630 million, compared to films like “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Saving Private Ryan” that grossed just under $500 million.

James Cameron tried to comfort Matt Damon

During an interview in 2022 BBC radioDirector James Cameron said he had previously comforted Damon over the decision, which cost him 10% of the film’s profits. Cameron said: “That’s why he beats himself up. And I think you know, “Matt, you’re like one of the biggest movie stars in the world; get over it.'”

Cameron explained that at the time, Damon had “another ‘Bourne’ film to do” and was forced to “regretfully turn down” the role in “Avatar”. During a 2019 interview British GQDamon also reflected on the choice, calling it one of his “biggest regrets” as an actor.

He said lawsuit Daily Mail“James Cameron offered me ‘Avatar.’ And when he offered it to me, he says, ‘Listen! I don’t need anyone. I don’t need a name, a named actor for this. If you don’t take this, I’ll find an unknown actor and give it to him, because the movie doesn’t need you. But if you take the part, I’ll give you 10 percent.'”

Matt Damon comments on the Barbie/Oppenheimer war

The release of “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” on July 21 caused quite a stir on social media. With both films set to release on the same day, fans have been debating which one will be the bigger grosser on its opening weekend.

Damon spoke to her recently Vanity Fair of the premiere war, saying: “This is the first I’ve heard of it. I didn’t pay attention to that.” The actor further said that he does not understand the feud because “people can see two films in one weekend. “Oppenheimer” is one of them!”

Damon is the father of four daughters, so they probably want to watch Barbie before “Oppenheimer,” in which their father plays General Leslie Groves. Regarding the controversy, he said: “I have to ask them that. If so, they watch two movies that weekend!”