Pepper-Spraying Bouncer -- Sam Worthington Said He Was a DEA Agent

Who knew ... Sam Worthington is a method actor ... because right after he was pepper sprayed in Atlanta this weekend, he claimed he was a DEA agent and threatened the bouncer who maced him -- so claims the very pissed off bouncer.

The bouncer -- Jerry Link -- tells TMZ, he maced Worthington when the actor went belligerent outside the bar ... and Worthington screamed, "I'm a DEA agent! You f**ked up now!"

FYI -- Worthington is playing a DEA agent in the movie he's currently filming in the ATL.

Link tells us, Worthington rolled up to Vortex Bar and Grill in Atlanta, wearing a dirty hoodie and carrying a bunch of clothes ... and everyone thought he was a homeless person. Link says he refused to let Worthington inside because he was too drunk.

TMZ broke the story ... Worthington was arrested for disorderly conduct after allegedly pushing Link in retaliation.

The charges were dismissed this morning because Link was a no-show in court. Link is calling BS ... because no one asked him to be there.

And this is funny ... Link (clearly not a movie person) tells us, he had no clue Worthington was famous until today -- "I've never seen 'Avatar' or 'Terminator."