Two Actors from Marvel Universe Were Close to Portraying Jake Sully in James Cameron's Avatar Movies

Its widely known that Matt Damon declined both the main role and a share of the profits in James Camerons "Avatar" series. Yet, he wasnt the only actor to miss out on visiting Pandora. Before Sam Worthington became the Na'vi warrior Jake Sully, two other major stars were under consideration for the role.

During an episode of the Empire podcast, Cameron disclosed that Chris Evans, famous as Captain America, and Channing Tatum, known today as Gambit, were both approached before Worthington was ultimately cast. "Chris Evans, and Sam, and Channing Tatum. That was my choice," Cameron said. "I really liked Channings charm and Chris presence. They were both excellent, but Sam had the voice and intensity I was looking for."

This decision led to Worthington starring in three additional Avatar adventures since 2009, culminating with "Avatar: Fire and Ash," which is scheduled for release on December 19, 2025. According to Cameron, one pivotal scene in the first movie secured Worthingtons place as the lead and proved he could guide the Na'vi in battle. Worthington delivered the crucial moment flawlessly on his first attempt.

How Worthington Earned the Role

Facing strong competition from well-known actors like Captain America and a future mutant hero, Worthington stood out with his performance during one of Jakes key scenes. Cameron, known for his frank opinions on major films, noted that Worthington was the actor he needed. "Everyone performed similarly throughout the script, except for the final speech where he says, 'This is our land, ride now, go as fast as the wind can carry you,'" Cameron explained. "That scene convinced me I would follow him into battle. The others had successful careers, but Sam was ready."

While Tatum hasnt yet played a role requiring team leadership, Evans went on to become a prominent leader in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Captain America. His leadership was a central element in "Avengers: Endgame," the only film to briefly surpass "Avatar" as the highest-grossing movie, before Cameron reclaimed the record with a re-release of the original film.

Author: Benjamin Carter