Josh Brolin recently opened up about a past interaction with director James Cameron, revealing how his decision to decline a role in Avatar: The Way of Water upset the filmmaker. The actor, known for his role in the Avengers franchise, discussed the situation during an appearance on the show In Depth with Graham Bensinger.

Declining the Avatar Role

In 2022, James Cameron approached Josh Brolin to take part in Avatar: The Way of Water, the much-anticipated sequel to Avatar (2009). However, Brolin chose to turn down the opportunity, a decision that did not sit well with the renowned director.

Brolin recalled hearing that Cameron was angered by his refusal, saying, “I heard he was angry.” He understood the director’s frustration, explaining that someone of Cameron’s stature, accustomed to having a high level of influence, might expect gratitude when offering someone a role in such a major production.

“I understand it, because when you have something in your mind and you have a status and a power… you’re used to people feeling really grateful that you are offering it to them,” Brolin shared during the interview.

No Regrets Over the Decision

Despite knowing Cameron’s feelings about the situation, Brolin made it clear that his decision to pass on the role wasn’t personal. The actor emphasized that he didn’t approach Cameron after declining the role because he was unsure of the director’s mindset and didn’t feel they had enough of a personal connection to address the matter directly.

“It wasn’t based on him. It was based on the project,” Brolin explained. This stance was consistent with what he had mentioned in a previous interview with Esquire, where he stated that he had no regrets about his decision. He even humorously recounted how Cameron, in his frustration, called him derogatory names. “James Cameron’s f—ing calling me this name and that name,” Brolin shared, adding that if Cameron ever approached him about his comments, he would simply explain, “Because it happened.”

The Unexpected Role in Dune

In a lighter moment during the In Depth interview, Brolin also reflected on how he ended up landing a role in Dune (2021). The actor explained that the opportunity came about due to a misunderstanding. Initially, Brolin went in to pitch a different idea, but instead of discussing that project, producer Mary Parent suggested him for a role in Dune.

Brolin recalled the moment, saying, “I wasn’t trying to get Dune… and then I ended up — [Mary Parent] looked at me and was like, ‘What about Josh for Dune?’” Without hesitation, Brolin accepted the part.

For more updates on Josh Brolin’s career and Hollywood insights, stay tuned to Vviptimes.