One of James Cameron’s passion projects and most awaited sequels ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is finally here. After 13 years to the first film, Cameron has introduced a new spectacle for the cine-goers, pushing the envelope to bring a technologically superior cinematic product. The sequel will trace Jake and Neytiri’s quest to protect their kin even if it means going to the extent of fighting battles. Sam Worthington is reprising his role as Jake and Zoe Saldaña is playing Neytiri.
Matt Damon is the slickest and the director’s favorite actor. He has played significant roles in Christopher Nolan’s films. Recently, he was seen in Taika Waititi’s ‘Thor: Love And Thunder’. So, it was no surprise that James Cameron approached the actor to play Jake in the film. However, Matt rejected the opportunity, which in retrospect, was one of the most regrettable choices in his career. ‘Avatar’ became one of the highest-grossing films of all time. But, James has not lost all hope as he wants to cast Damon in the sequels.
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James Cameron Wants To Cast Matt Damon In Avatar To Establish ‘World Equilibrium’
Since 2002, Matt Damon has been successively playing Jason Bourne in the mega-hit ‘Bourne’ franchise. It was around the third installment when Matt was offered to play a major role in ‘Avatar’. The director James Cameron was ready to offer 10% of profits [The film went on to collect $2.8 billion worldwide]. During the Cannes Film Festival, he explained why he turned down the role.
Matt said, “I was offered a little movie called Avatar, James Cameron offered me 10% of it. I will go down in history… you will never meet an actor who turned down more money”. He said that he was committed to the ‘Bourne’ franchise and took a “moral decision” to not exit the franchise.
During the BBC Radio 1 interview, Cameron reacted to Damon’s comment and ensured that the ‘Inception’ actor will be cast in a cameo role in the film sequels. “[Damon]’s beating himself up over [losing 10% of Avatar] and I really think, you know, ‘Matt, you’re kinda like one of the biggest movie stars in the world, get over it.'”
He continued, “But he had to do another Bourne film, which was on his runway, and there was nothing he could do about that, and so he had to regretfully decline. [Avatar] must do [a Damon cameo], we have to do it, so that the world is in equilibrium again. But he doesn’t get 10%, fuck that”.
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The Director Revealed His Plan If The Sequel Flops
Since ‘Avatar’ was released in 2009, the world has changed a lot. There have been many films released that became pioneers of technologically enthralling cinema. Amidst this, it is announced that the film will have three more sequels in making. There was a buzz about the possible failure of the sequel ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’. But, as per the projections, the sequel will bag $150 million to $175 million in its opening weekend.
In an interview with Total Film magazine, Cameron revealed his game plan if the sequel does not work. He said, “The market could be telling us we’re done in three months, or we might be semi-done, meaning: ‘Okay, let’s complete the story within movie three, and not go on endlessly,’ if it’s just not profitable…”
James continued, “We’re in a different world now than we were when I wrote this stuff. It’s the one-two punch — the pandemic and streaming. Or, conversely, maybe we’ll remind people what going to the theater is all about. This film definitely does that. The question is: how many people give a s**t now?”
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