Both Matt Damon and Jake Gyllenhaal turned down the lead role in Avatar, and thank goodness because James Cameron didn’t really want either of them anyway.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the director approached Damon and Gyllenhaal about playing Jake Sully in the 3D sci-fi epic that is now the biggest moneymaker in Hollywood movie history, with $2.5 billion in worldwide box office.

Both stars said thanks but no thanks, which worked out great for both Cameron and Sam Worthington — who says he was living in his car before he got the job (Terminator Salvation must not have paid very well).

“I don’t think they ever had a problem with the CG,” Cameron reportedly said. “Honestly, did I go out and try to woo them? No. I had my heart set on Sam. Maybe they sensed my lack of 100% commitment from me. Maybe it was the subject matter. This was a big ‘Star Wars’-type movie. They’re both serious actors.”

Cameron said he offered the role to the big names to placate Fox studio chiefs, who wanted a bankable star to offset some of the risks of the expensive project. Fox execs didn’t get their wish. But it all seems to have worked out fine.

Worthington next appears in Clash of the Titans, which hits theatres in April. Gyllenhaal stars in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, based on the video game, opening in May. And Damon will be seen in Green Zone in March.