In a rather small, but interesting side note to the game changing “Avatar,” director James Cameron has revealed that at one point the lead role of Jake Sully was offered both to Matt Damon and Jake Gyllenhaal. And, as we know, they both turned it down.
But if you think it was the CGI that scared them away, or that Sam Worthington was some kind of third choice think again. Cameron says Worthington was always his first choice and he only put out the offer to placate worried Fox executives who figured the financial prospects of the film might be better with a big star in the lead role, “I don’t think they ever had a problem with the CG. Honestly, did I go out and try to woo them? No. I had my heart set on Sam. Maybe they sensed my lack of 100% commitment from me. Maybe it was the subject matter. This was a big ‘Star Wars‘-type movie. They’re both serious actors.”
Well, we could definitely see Damon not being too interested. He’s certainly a director’s actor and the idea of spending months doing green screen work probably didn’t excite him. As for Gyllenhaal, he did just finish the effects heavy “Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time” so he’s not adverse to a big tentpole. So who knows? Ultimately, Worthington got the gig, moved out of his car and will next be seen battling other pretend things in “Clash Of The Titans,” which ironically, has been converted to 3D which Cameron is not down with.
