Prior to returning as Jake Sully in Avatar: The Way of Water, Sam Worthington had faded from the spotlight somewhat, but around the time of the release of James Cameron's first film, the actor was primed to be a major Hollywood player.
While speaking to Variety, Worthington confirmed that he was a frontrunner for two major roles back in the day: James Bond in Casino Royale, and Hal Jordan in Green Lantern!
The Australian actor recalls meeting with director Martin Campbell (who also helmed Casino Royale) prior to Ryan Reynolds being cast.
“It didn’t make much sense to me — the suit comes out of his skin?” Worthington remembers asking. “And I was like, ‘He’s got this powerful ring that can create anything. Well, what can beat the ring?’ The answer was nothing. I was like, ‘Well, something needs to beat it, or it won’t be very interesting.’”
Campbell tried to give Worthington a better sense of what he was talking about by getting him to put the ring on.
“They had the ring on the table and were like, ‘put it on,'” Worthington added. “But I’m like, ‘it’s not real, is it?’ It was very bizarre.”
No, Sam, it wasn't an actual magical space-ring!
Though he doesn't specify here, it sounds like Worthington might have turned the role down, which was probably a smart move in hindsight!
As for Bond, Worthington says he realized that he wasn't quite right for the part shortly after meeting with 0007 producer Barbara Broccoli. “I could play Bond as a killer, but I couldn’t get the debonair down for the life of me,” he admits. “The suit did not fit. I had no idea what I was doing.”
Do you guys think Sam Worthington would have been a good pick for either James Bond or Green Lantern? Drop us a comment down below.
Avatar: The Way of Water hits theaters this Friday.