Marc Maron candidly recalls the hectic audition process for Avatar: The Way of Water. Released in theaters late last year, the long-awaited sequel introduces various new Na’vi characters to the Avatar franchise, as well as humans like Dr. Ian Garvin, a marine biologist working for the RDA. It turns out that comedian and actor Marc Maron, who starred in Netflix’s GLOW and had a minor role in Joker, was up for the role. In the end, the part eventually went to Flight of the Conchords‘ Jemaine Clement.
During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz (via Variety), Maron candidly and hilariously recalled his hectic experience auditioning for director James Cameron and Avatar: The Way of Water.
Over the course of five minutes, the comedian and actor recalled going into the studio for the audition and was dumbfounded by everything going on around him. When it finally came time to read for the part, Maron had no idea what was going on. Read what he shared below:
That was ridiculous. Why the fuck would I want that job? There’s this assumption that we’re going to do four Avatar movies. Dude, I don’t even remember the first one! I don’t know what this all means to the world. [James Cameron] built this city down there [at his Long Beach studio]. There’s people doing acrobatics down there, people flying…it’s like Cirque du Soleil down there. All of a sudden you’re in this zone with people [James] just has there to read parts and fly and be on dollies. I’m on camera I think. I got a picture a boat or whatever the fuck it is…I’m in the middle of this thing and I’m totally untethered and I have no sense of character. I have no idea what’s happening other than there are several unidentified actors and acrobats all around me. Thank God [I didn’t get the part]. I don’t like being away from home. My agent was like, “You’re probably going to go to New Zealand for four years,” or whatever the fuck it was. Some ridiculous amount of time. I was like, it’s not happening. Then [Cameron] sent me a box of cigars because he didn’t cast me. Ok, that’s nice. At this age, I have no problem saying no.
Every New Actor Cast In The Avatar Sequels
Considering his wild experience auditioning for Avatar: The Way of Water, it’s safe to say Maron wouldn’t be up for joining one of the many Avatar sequels to come. There are, however, many new actors who have already been cast in Avatar 3 and beyond. The threequel is already about 95 percent finished filming, according to Cameron, while parts of Avatar 4 have also been filmed.
Harry Potter and the DCEU’s David Thewlis has joined the franchise in a prominent role as an unnamed Na’vi character who will be featured in Avatar 3 through Avatar 5. Game of Thrones alum Oona Chaplin plays the leader of a fire-based Na’vi clan known as “Ash People” who hail from Pandora’s volcanic regions and are more antagonistic than other tribes. Michelle Yeoh has also joined the Avatar 3 cast as a human scientist named Dr. Karina Mogue.
Contrary to rumors which were started by the actor’s social media posts during a set visit, Vin Diesel has not been cast in the Avatar franchise, according to producer Jon Landau. Due to the performance capture technology the Avatar films famously use, acting in them requires a completely different mindset than traditional live-action and is certainly not for everyone, as Maron’s amusing audition anecdote demonstrates. After Avatar: The Way of Water, it will be interesting to see how Cameron continues fleshing out his franchise with capable performers.
Source: Josh Horowitz/Twitter (via Variety)