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THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Set Visit Preview and 4 Awesome New Posters!Jake Gyllenhaal and Matt Damon Said No to James Cameron and AVATAR
by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub Posted:February 23rd, 2010 at 10:18 am
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Imagine if Matt Damon had played Jake Sully in James Cameron’s Avatar. Or what if Jake Gyllenhaal had? Would the movie have gone on to gross over $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office, or would having a major movie star as the lead detracted from your enjoyment? The fact is…it almost happened. According to Cameron, both stars declined playing the part after he reached out to them to placate the studio chiefs at Fox.
“I don’t think they ever had a problem with the CG, ” Cameron said to the LA Times. “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.”
While it might have helped to have Damon on the poster, I think having a relative unknown (Sam Worthington) play Jake Sully absolutely made Avatar better. As you watched Worthington on screen, you didn’t see any baggage from previous roles…instead, you could project onto him whatever you were feeling as you watched the movie. Looking back, I can see why Fox would be nervous about Worthington, but now that Cameron’s last two films have made over $4 billion at the worldwide box office, I think it’s safe to leave the casting to him.
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Related Links
- AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Review
- New Trailers for AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-Ray Glimpse Alternate Earth-Set Opening
- Sam Worthington Talks CLASH OF THE TITANS 2, AVATAR 2, and the AVATAR Re-Release Deleted Scenes
- AVATAR Blu-ray Review
- Sam Worthington Interview CLASH OF THE TITANS
You know another aspect is the Avatar itself. Sigourney Weaver’s avatar has met some criticism and I think some of it comes from the fact that she is so recognizable that whatever you do with the alien it comes off as some sort of caricature. I could see that happening with both of these actors.
As a cool side note I just saw a trailer for a movie with Zoe Saldana and I recognized her FIRST as Neytiri even though I also know what she looks like (Uhura). I recognized her by her performance and mannerism in a single short shot. Just shows how effective and authentic the performance capture was in Avatar.
BTW, did you guys abandon Disqus? I liked it.
You know another aspect is the Avatar itself. Sigourney Weaver’s avatar has met some criticism and I think some of it comes from the fact that she is so recognizable that whatever you do with the alien it comes off as some sort of caricature. I could see that happening with both of these actors.
As a cool side note I just saw a trailer for a movie with Zoe Saldana and I recognized her FIRST as Neytiri even though I also know what she looks like (Uhura). I recognized her by her performance and mannerism in a single short shot. Just shows how effective and authentic the performance capture was in Avatar.
BTW, did you guys abandon Disqus? I liked it.
I think Matt Damon would’ve been awesome.
As far as Sam Worthington not having “baggage” That went out the window after Terminator Salvation. He already had a familiarity to him by the time I saw AvAtar.
My guess is that Damon and Gyllenhaul didn’t want to be on screen for about 10% of the movie. Even though they would’ve had to act out the whole thing.
Let’s keep it real. Worthington wasnt asked to do much in the live action scenes. You really could have had just about anybody doing it. IMO.
BTW. No more disqus?
I think Matt Damon would’ve been awesome.
As far as Sam Worthington not having “baggage” That went out the window after Terminator Salvation. He already had a familiarity to him by the time I saw AvAtar.
My guess is that Damon and Gyllenhaul didn’t want to be on screen for about 10% of the movie. Even though they would’ve had to act out the whole thing.
Let’s keep it real. Worthington wasnt asked to do much in the live action scenes. You really could have had just about anybody doing it. IMO.
BTW. No more disqus?
Love Sam. Hopefully he'll show his acting versatility after he's established.
Avatar fansite http://www.naviblue.com
Love Sam. Hopefully he'll show his acting versatility after he's established.
Avatar fansite http://www.naviblue.com