Damon's Hilarious Reaction to Great Wall Fan Prank

Matt Damon experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during a recent Project Big Screen interview when he believed he'd discovered his first Great Wall fan. The actor appeared with Ben Affleck to discuss their upcoming Netflix crime thriller The Rip, but the conversation took an unexpected turn near the interview's end.

One host mentioned having a special gift from his Chinese in-laws. He presented Damon with a red envelope, explaining it was "a very special token of appreciation because they love the Great Wall." Damon's face lit up immediately. "Really?" he asked, clearly excited by the prospect of meeting someone who actually enjoyed the film.

The host quickly crushed those hopes. "No, they don't. Sorry. I just had to get one." Both actors burst into laughter at the elaborate setup. Damon admitted his genuine excitement, saying "I was so excited to meet somebody who liked that movie. I was going to take it home and show my daughter."

Family Critics Hit Hardest

Damon's daughter proves to be his harshest critic when it comes to the 2016 fantasy epic. She refuses to call it by its full title, simply referring to it as "The Wall." When her father corrects her, she delivers a brutal response: "Dad, there's nothing great about that movie."

During a previous WTF podcast appearance with Marc Maron, Damon explained why he knew the project was doomed. Director Zhang Yimou compromised his original vision to satisfy Hollywood producers, creating what Damon described as a incoherent mess. "I was like, this is exactly how disasters happen. It doesn't cohere. It doesn't work as a movie... And my daughter knows it," he shared.

Box Office Disappointment

The Great Wall struggled both critically and commercially despite its massive $150 million budget. The film earned $334 million worldwide but received devastating reviews from critics and audiences alike. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a dismal 35% rating, while IMDb users scored it 5.9 out of 10.

Beyond poor storytelling and questionable visual effects, the movie faced intense backlash for its casting choices. Critics accused the film of perpetuating white savior narratives by placing Damon's character at the center of a Chinese historical fantasy. Many argued that a Chinese actor should have played the lead role instead.

Streaming Second Life

The film recently found new audiences after arriving on HBO Max, though reception remains mixed. The cast included Chinese actress Jing Tian alongside Willem Dafoe and Pedro Pascal in supporting roles.

Zhang Yimou's Hollywood directorial debut attempted to replicate the success of previous Chinese films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Kung Fu Hustle. Those efforts fell short as the movie failed to capture authentic cultural elements while trying to appeal to both Eastern and Western markets.