In an age where some Hollywood actors seem to be doing any type of movie to make a quick buck, it's humbling to know that one of the most sought-after turned down what would have been enough money to do anything they wanted. Literally anything. From just one movie.

Hollywood actor and former Dalkey resident Matt Damon revealed at the weekend that he turned down a chance to star in 'Avatar', as well as the opportunity to take home 10% of the movie's profit.

The first (and currently only) 'Avatar' movie to hit cinema screens arrived back in 2009, and is the highest-grossing movie of all time. The fantasy adventure movie is sitting pretty at the number one spot with $2,847,246,203 (€2,403,044,475) in the bank account. 12 years later and there are three sequel films currently in production in New Zealand.

However, it appears that Matt Damon decided to pass on the opportunity to star in the franchise AND to take home 10% of the movie's profits, which would stand at over $280 million.

Speaking during his Cannes Film Festival masterclass at the weekend, the actor apparently left the audience in stitches with his comments about the missed opportunity. Director James Cameron offered him the lead role of Jake Sully, which eventually went to Sam Worthington.

He told the audience: "I was offered a little movie called 'Avatar', James Cameron offered me 10% of it. I will go down in history… you will never meet an actor who turned down more money."

The reason for his rejection of the offer was down to Matt's other major franchise that he was in a bind with - the Jason Bourne franchise. Matt said he took the "moral" decision not to leave the franchise.

Matt Damon and his 'Avatar' story continued, with him hilariously recounting the time he told his pal John Krasinski about passing on the opportunity. John stood up from the table they were sitting at, saying: "Nothing would be different in your life if you had done 'Avatar', except you and me would be having this conversation in space."

When reminded about the upcoming sequels by an audience member, Matt joked: "There’s sequels? Oh my god."

'Avatar 2' is set to be released in December 2022, with the subsequent sequels being released in 2024 and 2026.