Damon Says Nolan's Odyssey Tops His Entire Acting Career
The acclaimed actor underwent dramatic physical changes and calls his latest collaboration with the visionary director an unmatched professional experience ahead of the 2026 release.
Matt Damon considers his latest project with Christopher Nolan the greatest achievement of his decades-long Hollywood journey. The actor, known for blockbusters like Good Will Hunting, the Bourne franchise, and Saving Private Ryan, says nothing matches his experience filming Nolan's ambitious take on Homer's ancient epic.
Speaking on The Tonight Show alongside longtime friend Ben Affleck, Damon revealed his enthusiasm for the grueling production. "This represents the peak of my entire career. I loved every minute of it. I just loved it," he shared with host Jimmy Fallon.
Epic Production Across Three Countries
The massive undertaking spanned six months, from February through August 2025. Filming locations included Greece, Morocco, and Italy, with Nolan's team creating spectacular practical effects that impressed even seasoned Hollywood veterans.
Affleck and his children were among the few outsiders permitted on set. They witnessed crews generating an actual storm for water battle sequences. Damon noted his own kids, typically uninterested in movie sets, eagerly visited because one child had developed a fascination with the source material.
Dramatic Physical Transformation
The 55-year-old actor underwent significant body changes for the role of the legendary Greek hero. Nolan wanted his Odysseus lean yet powerful, prompting Damon to drop from his usual 185-200 pounds down to just 167 pounds.
"That's the lightest I've been since high school," Damon explained on the New Heights podcast. His regimen included intense training sessions and strict dietary restrictions, including eliminating gluten entirely. He also grew out his facial hair to achieve the weathered look of a battle-tested warrior.
Star-Studded Cast Assembly
Nolan assembled an impressive ensemble for his interpretation of the classic tale. Tom Holland portrays Telemachus, while Anne Hathaway takes on Queen Penelope. Zendaya appears as the goddess Athena, with Charlize Theron as the sorceress Circe.
Additional casting includes Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, and Himesh Patel as Eurylochus. The production also features John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Lupita Nyong'o, James Remar, Elliot Page, Samantha Morton, and Logan Marshall-Green in various roles. The film arrives in theaters July 17, 2026.