James Cameron Says Matt Damon “Must” Be In An Upcoming ‘Avatar’ Film But He’s Not Getting 10% Of Profits: “F*ck That”

More than a year ago, Matt Damon was at the Cannes Film Festival talking to an audience, and the actor shared an embarrassing story. He revealed that James Cameron called him up and offered him the lead in “Avatar,” and the filmmaker even offered him a lucrative deal worth 10% of the film’s profits if he would do it. Unfortunately, Damon passed due to scheduling issues, and he has to live with the knowledge that he passed up the biggest payday of his career. Years later, Cameron still wants Damon involved in a future “Avatar” film, but he’s not going to make the same offer.

READ MORE: Matt Damon Turned Down ‘Avatar’ Lead Even After Being Offered 10% Of The Film’s Profits

Speaking to BBC Radio 1, James Cameron was asked about the Matt Damon offer. The filmmaker explained that Damon, in fact, was contractually obligated to continue the ‘Bourne’ franchise at the time and had to regretfully pass.

“He’s beating himself up over this and I really think Matt you’re kind of like one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Get over it,” joked Cameron. “But he had to do another ‘Bourne’ film which was on his runway and there’s nothing he could do about that and so he had to regretfully decline.”

Of course, when the idea of hiring Damon to appear, even in a cameo, in a future “Avatar” film is brought up, Cameron fully agrees. Well, with one big caveat.

READ MORE: James Cameron Jokes The ‘SNL’ Papyrus Sketch About ‘Avatar’ Logo “Haunted” Him

“We must do it. We have to do it so that the world is in equilibrium again,” Cameron said. “But he doesn’t get 10 percent, fuck that.”

So, the odds of Matt Damon appearing in a future installment of the “Avatar” franchise seems pretty high. Hell, Cameron has 3 more movies to make it happen. But there will always be that “What if?” question in Damon’s mind. 

“Avatar: The Way of Water” is in theaters now.