Movies James Cameron thinks Matt Damon should get over passing on Avatar role and a $290 million payday "He's beating himself up over this," the Oscar-winning director joked. By Joey Nolfi Joey Nolfi Entertainment Weekly's Oscars expert, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' beat reporter, host of 'Quick Drag' Twitter Spaces, and cohost of 'EW's BINGE' podcast. Almost all of the drag content on this site is my fault (you're welcome). EW's editorial guidelines Published on December 20, 2022 01:50PM EST James Cameron is amused by Matt Damon's blues over passing on a role in his super successful Avatar film series. "He's beating himself up over this," the 68-year-old Oscar-winning filmmaker joked to BBC Radio when asked about Damon's past revelation that he turned down Cameron's offer to star in Avatar — with 10 percent of the film's eventual $2.9 billion box office haul. "Matt, you're kind of like one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Get over it." Cameron went on to admit that he understood Damon's decline, noting that the 52-year-old "had to do another Bourne film, which was on his runway, and there was nothing we could do about that." The Titanic helmer also responded to a request for Damon to appear in a small role in a future Avatar production, after the long-gestating sequel to the 2009 blockbuster about blue-hued beings, The Way of Water, earned $441 million over its global debut last weekend. James Cameron jokes about Matt Damon passing on 'Avatar' role. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images; 20th Century Studios "Must do it. We have to do it so that the world is in equilibrium again," Cameron said. "But he doesn't get 10%, from me, f--- that." Avatar: The Way of Water is now playing in theaters nationwide. Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. Related content: Brendan Fraser praises Matt Damon for helping him get his big break in School Ties: 'I have him to thank for that' Avatar: The Way of Water makes a splash at the box office with $134 million Underwater acting 101: Avatar 2 cast explains how they pulled off extreme free diving