Veteran actor Matt Damon has announced a significant shift in his approach to film roles, stating he will no longer undergo extreme weight gain for movie parts. The Hollywood star recently spoke about the intense physical preparation for his latest film, Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey', where he shed considerable weight to portray King Odysseus.
Damon, known for his commitment to roles, revealed he returned to his high school weight of 167 pounds for the epic historical drama. This transformation involved a strict diet, including cutting gluten, and a comprehensive 'lifestyle change' rather than just dietary adjustments. While he maintained that his weight loss was achieved in a healthy manner, he drew a clear line regarding future weight gain. "I think if I had done the opposite and put weight on, that would have been dangerous and it's not something I'll do anymore. I was happy to do it earlier in my life," Damon told People magazine.
Despite the physical rigours, Damon expressed immense satisfaction with the project. He called 'The Odyssey' the "most challenging movie I've ever been a part of" but emphasised that he "loved every minute of it." The film sees Damon's Odysseus embark on a perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, battling mythical creatures and gods, while his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, fends off suitors and his son Telemachus, portrayed by Tom Holland, searches for him. The ensemble cast also features notable names such as Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Elliot Page, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron.
'The Odyssey' marks Damon's third collaboration with acclaimed director Christopher Nolan, following their successful partnerships on the science fiction epic 'Interstellar' (2014) and the biographical drama 'Oppenheimer' (2023). 'Oppenheimer' dominated the 2024 awards season, securing seven BAFTA Awards, seven Academy Awards, and five Golden Globes, underscoring the formidable creative pairing of Damon and Nolan.
Nolan recently discussed Damon's pivotal role in 'The Odyssey' with The Los Angeles Times, highlighting the actor's unique ability to connect with audiences and draw them into complex characters. He remarked on Damon's versatility, noting, "Matt was everyman for The Martian, a kind of superhero for the Jason Bourne films, and Odysseus is part everyman, part superhero." For UK audiences, 'The Odyssey' is expected to be available for streaming on Apple TV+, with a free 7-day trial offered to new subscribers before a monthly fee of £9.99 applies.