Damon Drops 33 Pounds for Nolan's Epic Odyssey Role
The Hollywood veteran reveals his most extreme physical transformation yet, shedding weight to portray the legendary Greek hero in Christopher Nolan's ambitious adaptation.
Matt Damon pushed his body to new limits for his third project with Christopher Nolan, transforming himself into the legendary Odysseus for the director's ambitious take on Homer's classic tale. The 55-year-old actor shed 33 pounds and maintained a full beard for an entire year to embody the King of Ithaca in what promises to be one of 2026's most anticipated releases.
Extreme Physical Preparation
Speaking on the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce, Damon detailed his grueling preparation process. "I had a beard like yours for like a year. I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. [Nolan] wanted me lean but strong," he explained to the hosts. The actor's weight dropped from his usual 185-200 pounds down to just 167 pounds, a number he hadn't seen since his high school days.
The transformation required more than just hitting the gym. Damon eliminated gluten from his diet entirely and followed what he described as "a really strict diet" combined with intensive training. "Just because of this other thing that I did with my doctor, I stopped eating gluten," he revealed, crediting the dietary change as part of his dramatic weight loss.
Global Production Challenges
Nolan's production team spent six months between February and August of last year capturing footage across six countries. The ambitious shoot took the cast and crew through Morocco, Iceland, Scotland, Greece, Italy, and Malta. Each location presented unique challenges that only added to Damon's admiration for the filmmaker's vision.
"We would get there and I'd just start laughing. I'd be like, 'Nobody has any business shooting here! Of course he wants to shoot here. That tracks,'" Damon recalled. Despite the logistical nightmares of filming in such remote and challenging locations, the production actually finished ahead of schedule, something Damon attributed to Nolan's experienced crew.
On-Set Mishaps and Star Power
The international shoot wasn't without its complications. Co-star Benny Safdie, who plays Agamemnon, learned a hard lesson about local cuisine during the Morocco portion of filming. On his day off, Safdie ventured out to explore local attractions and made the mistake of consuming unfiltered water and street food.
"We were in Morocco and I wanted to see the place, and so on my day off I asked this guy, I was like, 'Hey, can you take me around to some of the things?' and I ate the food, I drank the things," Safdie shared. The consequences became clear when a doctor's examination revealed serious digestive issues that required medical attention.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast that reads like a Hollywood who's who. Anne Hathaway takes on Penelope, while Tom Holland portrays Telemachus. Charlize Theron appears as Circe, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, and Zendaya brings the goddess Athena to life. The supporting cast includes Jon Bernthal, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, James Remar, Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page, Samantha Morton, and Logan Marshall-Green.