Both Channing Tatum and Chris Evans have gone on to be big film stars in their own right for many years now. It’s easy to forget that before 21 Jump Street, virtually no one took Tatum seriously, and before Captain America, Evans was known mostly as the Human Torch or that one douchebag from Not Another Teen Movie.

Things obviously turned out well for them, but it’s crazy to know that the two of them were up for the biggest film of all time at one point. Speaking with Empire, director James Cameron recounted the two stars auditioning for the role of Jake Sully in Avatar. Here’s what he had to say:

“Chris Evans, and Sam, and Channing Tatum. That was my choice. I really liked Channing’s appeal. I liked Chris’ appeal. They were both great guys. But Sam [Worthington] had a quality of voice and a quality of intensity.

Everybody did about the same on all the material through the script, except for the final speech where he stands up and says, ‘This is our land, ride now, go as fast as the wind can carry you.’ That whole thing. I would have followed him into battle. And I wouldn’t have followed the other guys. They’ve since gone onto fantastic careers and all that, but Sam was ready. He was ready.”

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In retrospect, it’s kind of hard for me to imagine Cap giving a speech that wouldn’t have had me ready to take up arms against my oppressors, but I guess that’s the difference over a decade can make. Do you think this was the right choice on the part of the filmmaker? Let us know your thoughts down below!

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SOURCE: Dark Horizons (Empire)