'Avatar' Could Have Starred Chris Evans or Channing Tatum

It’s been a decade since “Avatar” bulldozed through box office records, and while the film’s visuals might have stuck with fans over the years, it’s hard to imagine Sam Worthington‘s performance is just as indelible in their memories. But what would the movie have been without its star and with someone, umm, better? Director James Cameron recently revealed that Worthington wasn’t the only choice to play the film’s hero Jake Sully, as /Film sharesChris Evans and Channing Tatum both made it to the final three for Cameron.

READ MORE: James Cameron Confirms Previously Reported ‘Avatar’ Sequel Titles But Isn’t Sure They’ll Stick

In the Empire podcast interview, Cameron said:

“I really liked Channing’s appeal. I liked Chris’ appeal. They were both great guys. But Sam had a quality of voice and a quality of intensity. Everybody did about the same on all the material through the script, except for the final speech where he stands up and says, ‘This is our land, ride now, go as fast as the wind can carry you.’ That whole thing. I would have followed him into battle. And I wouldn’t have followed the other guys. They’ve since gone onto fantastic careers and all that, but Sam was ready. He was ready.”

READ MORE: Chris Evans Posts Emotional Message To Fans After Wrapping ‘Avengers 4’

Was he? Worthington may have been fine in “Avatar,” but his career since hasn’t impressed, with critical duds like “Clash of the Titans” and its sequel among the more memorable items in his filmography. Meanwhile, Evans and Tatum have both had largely solid decades, with Evans in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Captain America and Tatum’s success with Steven Soderbergh and the “21 Jump Street” films. The bright side of Worthington’s casting means that we live in a universe with Evans as Steve Rogers and Tatum as Magic Mike, both of which might not have happened if they’d been chosen for Jake Sully. Seems like a fair trade to us.

READ MORE: Channing Tatum Reportedly Interested In Directing The Long-Delayed ‘Gambit’ Film That Will Never Get Made

The four ‘Avatar’ sequels–all presumably with Worthington and without Evans or Tatum–are scheduled as follows:

“Avatar: The Way of Water” – December 18, 2020

“Avatar: The Seed Bearer” – December 2021

“Avatar: The Tulkun Rider” – December 2024

“Avatar: The Quest for Eywa” – December 2025