James Cameron Refutes Matt Damon's Alleged Avatar Windfall

Before Sam Worthington became the face of Avatar, there were whispers that Matt Damon was in the running for the lead. Damon, best known for his role as Jason Bourne, has previously stated he was promised a tenth of the film’s total takings. With Avatar’s box office haul soaring past $2.5 billion on its initial release and now sitting at $2.9 billion, that would have meant a staggering payday of over $250 million for Damon.

James Cameron Addresses the Rumours

James Cameron, however, has now addressed these claims directly. While he recalls a conversation with Damon about a possible collaboration, the director insists that such a lucrative offer was never actually made. Cameron explained that although they spoke on the phone, there was no formal proposal, nor did they ever discuss the specifics of the character.

In Damon’s version of events, Cameron was quoted as saying,

[Cameron] was really lovely, he said: ‘If you don’t do this, this film doesn’t really need you. It doesn’t need a film star at all. The film is the star, the idea is the star, and it’s going to work. But if you do it, I’ll give you 10 percent of the film’.

Yet, Cameron has now clarified that this was never the case, suggesting Damon may have misunderstood or exaggerated the nature of their discussion.

Setting the Record Straight

Cameron admitted he could not recall whether he had sent Damon a script, but he did remember Damon phoning to decline the opportunity due to his commitment to the Bourne franchise. The director described Damon as honourable for making the call himself rather than leaving it to his agent. Cameron stated,

I can’t remember if I sent him the script or not. Then we wound up on a call and he said, ‘I love to explore doing a film with you. I have a lot of respect for you as a filmmaker. [Avatar] sounds intriguing. But I really have to do this Jason Bourne film. I’ve agreed to it, it’s a direct conflict,’. But he was never offered. There was never a deal. We never talked about the character. He felt compelled to call me personally and tell me; he said he didn’t want it to come from the agent — that’s an honourable guy.

Despite the confusion, Cameron expressed only respect for Damon and even hinted at the possibility of working together in the future. He also joked,

Matt, it’s okay, buddy! You didn’t miss anything.

Cameron's Own Avatar Earnings

Even without a 10% share on offer, Damon would have still received a substantial sum had he joined the project, given the franchise’s extraordinary commercial success. Cameron himself has become a billionaire, with much of his wealth attributed to the Avatar series. The first film alone reportedly brought him over $350 million from box office and home video sales, before taxes and fees. The sequel, The Way of Water, is said to have earned him an additional $95 million, not counting bonuses or future revenue.

With the third instalment, Fire & Ash, expected to join the exclusive $2 billion club, Cameron’s earnings from the franchise are projected to rise by another $200 million. The Avatar universe, it seems, continues to set the standard for box office triumphs.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is scheduled for release on 19 December 2025 in the United States.