The epic demands of Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' took a physical toll on its stars, with lead actor Matt Damon revealing the cast, many of whom are middle-aged, suffered from persistent back pain during filming. Damon, 55, who portrays the hero Odysseus in the adaptation of Homer's epic, spoke about the challenges of performing strenuous action scenes while navigating ancient, stone-laden sets in period footwear.
Speaking on Radio Andy with host Andy Cohen, Damon explained that the authentic sandals worn by the actors also led to numerous cuts and scuffs on their feet. He described the experience of running through the reconstructed city of Troy as particularly gruelling, stating that the back pain was ultimately more debilitating than the foot injuries. The actor humorously referred to it as a "heavy Advil movie" during the intense action sequences.
Damon himself underwent a significant physical transformation for the role, shedding weight to 76 kilograms and growing a beard for a year prior to production. He told People magazine that achieving the required physique involved an extremely disciplined diet, including cutting out gluten, and a very intentional approach to everything consumed.
Interestingly, Damon also shared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that some of the most striking shots showcasing his character's muscularity were made possible by a female stunt performer, identified as Canadian Devyn Dalton. While Damon affirmed that "almost 100 per cent" of the arm shots were his own, he acknowledged the crucial contribution of his stunt double, praising her "greatest arms I've ever seen."
The ensemble cast also features notable names such as Anne Hathaway, 43, who plays Penelope, alongside John Leguizamo, 66, Jon Bernthal, 49, and Samantha Morton, 49. 'The Odyssey' has garnered considerable critical acclaim since its release, with some reviewers hailing it as Christopher Nolan's finest work to date. The film also achieved a significant box office milestone, recording Nolan's largest debut with US$264 million globally, according to Universal Pictures.