Matt Damon turned down a 10% stake in one of the biggest movie franchises of all time

The Good Will Hunting actor missed out on a huge payday.

The 54-year-old has featured in massive projects throughout his career, such as Saving Private Ryan, The Bourne Identity and The Departed.

However, he turned down the lead role in one of James Cameron's blockbusters.

The film in question was 2009's Avatar, which is the highest-grossing film of all time.

Along with the lead role - which would have seen him earn almost  $250 million - Damon was offered 10% of the movie's profits.

In the end, Avatar grossed $2,923,706,026 at the global box office.

Damon had to reject the role due to scheduling issues.

Speaking in 2021, he said: "James Cameron offered me ten per cent of Avatar if I did it, but I was working on post-production for The Bourne Ultimatum."

Damon mentioned his regret to Christian Bale during a GQ table in 2019.

He said: "I've left more money on the table than any actor actually.

"Cameron said to me in the course of that conversation, 'Well, you know, I've only made six movies.'

"I didn't realise that ... I realised in having to say no that I was probably passing on the chance to ever work with him.

“So that sucked and that's still brutal."

The second instalment of the Avatar series, The Way of Water (2022), is the third-highest grossing film of all time.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to hit cinemas on December 19, 2025.