What kind of actor turns down the biggest bet in Hollywood and sleeps just fine? The choice left James Cameron fuming and a Marvel heavyweight oddly serene.
On Graham Bensinger’s show, Josh Brolin revisited the day he turned down Avatar, a call that angered James Cameron. The exact part he refused is still speculative, and Brolin maintains the choice was about the project rather than the person. The film became a box office colossus approaching 3 billion dollars. Brolin, meanwhile, stacked his own wins as Thanos, as Gurney Halleck in Dune, and soon in Wake Up Dead Man alongside Daniel Craig.
The day Josh Brolin turned down James Cameron
Josh Brolin is no stranger to bold choices, but one decision during his career managed to leave director James Cameron absolutely furious. It happened when Brolin declined a role in the groundbreaking movie Avatar. This anecdote, shared during the promotion of his memoir, From Under the Truck, offers an introspective look at why he chose to pass on what became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
When Cameron’s expectations met Brolin’s refusal
Speaking candidly on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Brolin admitted that turning down Avatar was not an easy choice, nor one he took lightly. Cameron, known for his grandiose vision and unyielding passion for his projects, did not take the rejection lightly either. According to Brolin, the celebrated director even confronted him over it. Yet, despite this tense exchange, Brolin later clarified that the decision was not about Cameron as a person but rather his disinterest in the specific role being offered.
The unspoken role and Avatar’s legacy
Curiously, Brolin has never confirmed which part he was offered. Was it Jake Sully, the paraplegic ex-soldier played by Sam Worthington? Or perhaps Colonel Miles Quaritch, brought to life by Stephen Lang? Both possibilities carry weight, considering the pivotal nature of these characters. At the time of the offer, Brolin’s career was already on an upward curve with standout roles in No Country for Old Men and an Oscar nomination for Milk. Did those factors influence his decision to pass on Pandora? It is a question only Brolin can truly answer.
The success of Avatar is undeniable. Released on December 16, 2009, it revolutionized 3D technology and storytelling. The film grossed an astronomical $2.92 billion worldwide, securing its position in cinema history. Sequels have since followed, proving that Cameron’s ambitious undertaking was a gamble that paid off spectacularly. But does Brolin regret sitting it out? Far from it.
Brolin finds his own path
Despite stepping off the Avatar train, Brolin’s trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. His portrayal of Thanos in the Marvel universe secured his place as one of Hollywood’s most compelling actors. Fans of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune will also recognize him as Gurney Halleck, a standout in the sci-fi epic. And he is not slowing down: his upcoming project, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, will see him sharing the screen with Daniel Craig. Clearly, he has no shortage of captivating stories to share with audiences.
For Brolin, the choice to reject Avatar seems less about what he lost and more about what he gained. While Cameron may have been frustrated, the actor’s unwavering focus on roles that resonate with him has ultimately shaped a fulfilling and varied career. After all, in Hollywood, it is not just about saying yes, it is knowing when to say no.
