Matt Damon Regrets Turning Down Avatar Role

Hollywood actor Matt Damon has revealed he's still gutted about turning down the lead role in 3D epic Avatar.

The Bourne Identity star revealed that he was in line for the part of Jake Sully - eventually played by Sam Worthington - but was forced to say no because of other commitments.

Speaking to Playboy magazine, Matt said: "I particularly wanted to work with James Cameron, and still do... When he said, 'Look, I'm offering it to you, but if you say no, the movie doesn't need you,' I remember thinking, 'Oh God, not only do I have to say no because of scheduling, but he's going to make a star out of some guy who's going to start taking jobs from me later'."

And that's not the only high-profile character Matt's lost out on. He was also in the running for a starring role in Brokeback Mountain.

Damon explained: "I had just done The Talented Mr Ripley and All The Pretty Horses. I said... 'I just did a gay movie and a cowboy movie. I can't do a gay cowboy movie now'."

And Matt believes the job went to the right man, adding: "The right actor got the part. Heath Ledger was magnificent."