Sam Worthington has revealed the surprising way he snagged his role in the blockbuster Avatar film franchise.
The Australian actor has starred as Jake Sully in three of the massive James Cameron CGI fests, with the latest – Avatar: Fire and Ash – hitting Australian cinemas just before Christmas.
Appearing on the latest On Film… With Kevin McCarthy podcast Sam admitted to having no clue what film he was actually auditioning for – which led to him having a sour attitude during his first impression.
‘I got this audition, but they wouldn’t tell me what the movie was, who the director was. They couldn’t tell me anything about it,’ Sam said.
He went on to add that the lack of information had made him reticent to throw his hat in the ring, with the actor admitting to being slightly angry.
‘I was kind of reluctant, a bit peed off at that, and I was in one of those headspaces anyway about it,’ he said.
Sam Worthington has revealed the surprising way he snagged his role in the blockbuster Avatar film franchise
Sam admitted he was set even more on edge after the costs incurred in travelling to the audition.
‘It cost me like $40 in fuel to drive so, I was like: “This is a waste of time, this isn’t going anywhere.”‘
Sam said he went into the audition with a less-than-positive attitude, which eventually won him the role.
‘That attitude kind of translated into the performance. I remember the first line was: “Are you Jake Sully?” and it was meant to be, “Yes, ma’am,” and I went, “Uh-huh,’ he said.
‘I had that weird attitude… because I was just a bit annoyed that no one could tell me anything.’
Sam said he put the audition out of his mind until he got the fateful call.
‘A week later I get a call and [they say], “Would you come and see Jim Cameron in America?” and I said, “What for?” and they said: “That was the audition.”
Sam said on first meeting the lauded director, James revealed it was the flippant delivery of his audition line that won him the role.
The Australian actor has starred as Jake Sully in three of the massive James Cameron CGI fests, with the latest – Avatar: Fire and Ash hitting Australian cinemas just before Christmas.
‘He said, “You had me at uh-huh,’ Sam revealed.
‘I said, “Have you seen any of the work I’ve done?” and he goes, “No, nothing.”‘
Sam added he was glad he was kept in the dark about the production, adding that if he had known which director he was auditioning for, he would have delivered the line as written.
It proved to be quite the fortuitous pairing for Sam, who was reportedly paid upwards of $12 million to star in the latest instalment of the billion-dollar franchise.
