Sam Worthington’s rise in Hollywood was a spectacular journey — beginning with the actor’s less than noteworthy presence in the industry to the lead of the highest-grossing film of all time in the matter of one significant project. And even though the Avatar protagonist’s path was marred by struggle and roadblocks, it was James Cameron’s eye that witnessed the extraordinary potential in the British-Australian actor, marking him on a permanent path of upscale rise.
Sam Worthington’s Attempt at the James Bond Franchise
The 21st century marked a great shift in the 007 franchise after the exit of Pierce Brosnan and a change in the feminist perspective within the Bond industry of its excessive sexualization of the female body. The five-film reboot that would go on to mark not only one of the darkest Bond runs of the Cold War era super spy but also the most progressive to date catapulted Daniel Craig as a mass favorite after the excruciating fetishization witnessed in the pre-Craig era.
However, all of the honorary titles and star status could have just as easily gone to Sam Worthington had he been considered 007 material. The actor recalled in an interview with Variety,
“I could play Bond as a killer, but I couldn’t get the debonair down for the life of me. The suit did not fit.”
Worthington auditioned in 2005 for the coveted role of the infamous British spy and was in the run alongside contenders like Henry Cavill, who famously lost to Daniel Craig after the roster was narrowed down to the latter two for Casino Royale (2006). A year later, Sam Worthington would blow away James Cameron and beat half a dozen Hollywood A-listers to win the lead in Avatar.
Sam Worthington: James Cameron’s Hollywood Underdog
James Cameron famously launched the career of Leonardo DiCaprio in 1997. The director extraordinaire went on to do the same for Sam Worthington after reports stated that the actor had been living out of his car at the time Cameron signed him on as Jake Sully for his ambitious 2009 film, Avatar. The vision that was delivered in the aftermath was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, something truly worthy of being hailed as a masterpiece in its all-around execution, visual effects, and screenplay.
The sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water which has been 13 years in the making has now debuted in the theatres to the exhilarating reception of the global audience and speeding toward a billion-dollar box-office collection within a fortnight. Cameron’s franchise, helmed by Sam Worthington, looks to the future as the director aims for an expansive universe, with the principal photography of Avatar 3 already completed as far back as 2017.
If the Aliens director is to be taken for his word, then the follow-up to Avatar 2 will be comprised of three more films to be released in 2024, 2026, and 2028.
Avatar: The Way of Water is now playing in theatres worldwide.
Source: Variety
