Marc Maron Didn't Mind Losing An Avatar: The Way Of Water Role After A 'Ridiculous' Audition

The "Avatar: Way of Water" cast is truly star-studded, as actors clamored to work with writer and director James Cameron on his massive vision. The wildly successful blockbuster not only features returning stars like Zoë Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang, but also introduces incredibly talented performers like Kate Winslet, Edie Falco, and Bailey Bass into the strange and beautiful world of the Na'vi. In another timeline, it might also have introduced curmudgeonly comedian Marc Maron, but apparently, he had one seriously strange audition that ended with the role going to someone else entirely. That's probably for the better, especially because I cannot imagine the actor and podcast host going vegan and taking nature hikes with the rest of the cast, but it sure would have been interesting. 

On an episode of his HAPPY SAD CONFUSED podcast (via Variety), Maron revealed that he had auditioned for a role in Cameron's latest massive CGI-laden blockbuster, but that he missed out on the part because of his "ridiculous" audition. Here's hoping some of that audition footage makes it onto the special features Blu-ray for "The Way of Water," but for now, we'll just have to enjoy Maron's recounting of being like a fish out of water. 

"Avatar: The Way of Water" is now playing in theaters. 

The role that Maron lost out on was as Dr. Ian Garvin, a marine biologist working for the Resources Development Administration, and it ended up going to "Flight of the Conchords" star Jemaine Clement, which was probably for the better for everyone involved. Maron explained that while he did audition, he realized pretty quickly that he didn't actually want the part:

"That was ridiculous. Why the f*** 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. [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."

Maron went to read for his part and was standing on a boat while people flew around him on dollies, and it was completely confusing. He described himself as being "totally untethered" as the actors and acrobats swirled around him. It was really no surprise when he didn't get the part given his lackluster audition, but Maron was relieved. He didn't quite realize what he was getting into until he was in the middle of it, and then it was too much and way too late.

Maron was his typically candid self as he continued to explain his reaction to the whole thing and his genuine relief that he didn't get the part. He said that he hates being away from home and that when his agent told him that he was "probably going to go to New Zealand for four years" or some other "ridiculous amount of time," Maron realized that even if he did somehow miraculously get the part, he didn't want it. Then, thankfully, Cameron didn't cast him and sent Maron a box of cigars as a nice gesture. Even the generally grumpy Maron had to admit that the cigars were a nice touch, and it sounds like everything worked out for the best. 

He might not be in "Avatar: The Way of Water," but Maron has still been plenty busy, starring in "To Leslie" with Oscar nominee Andrea Risenborough (read our review here!) and performing his first HBO stand-up special, "Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark," now streaming on HBO Max. Add that to his podcasting schedule and Maron has plenty on his plate, which makes this fan of his very happy. Maybe we'll get some "Avatar" content in his next stand-up special, and everything will come full circle.