Matt Damon has described Christopher Nolan's upcoming film "The Odyssey" as the most physically demanding project of his career. The actor, who has appeared in approximately 80 films, stated that the ambitious production pushed both cast and crew to their limits.
"He was like, 'This movie's gonna be hard.' And I looked at him like, 'I've made, I don't know, 80 movies,'" Damon recalled of his initial conversations with Nolan. "And he goes, 'No. This movie's gonna be really hard.' He, to his credit, was not lying."
Grueling Production and Physical Discomfort
Damon, 55, said the filming process was the most challenging he has experienced due to the sheer ambition of Nolan's vision. He noted that preparing for the role of Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca, presented unique difficulties for him as an actor in his 50s.
Filming took place in arduous locations, including Moroccan beaches, mountaintops, and at sea under unpredictable conditions. "There was a lot of physical discomfort. It felt more like an expedition than a movie," Damon shared. "Everybody was pushed to kind of the limit of what they could do. But the beauty of it is you look around and everyone is going through it with you."
Damon also commended Nolan's leadership on set, especially during challenging moments. "Directing is by far the hardest job on set," he said. "When you're out there kind of in the middle of a storm and you're soaked and you're cold and you're like, 'Man, I'm in discomfort right now,' it is helpful to turn and see the person with the harder job ... looking like a drowned rat, just as cold, just as wet, and never complaining."
Strict Diet and Weight Loss
Damon previously discussed the intense physical transformation required for the role. During an appearance on "New Heights" podcast, he revealed he lost a significant amount of weight after Jason Kelce commented that Damon appeared "pretty yoked up" in viral set photos.
Nolan had a specific vision for Odysseus, wanting Damon to be "lean but strong." To achieve this, Damon adopted a strict diet, notably quitting gluten. He explained that he typically fluctuates between 185 and 200 pounds, but for the film, he maintained a weight of 167 pounds.
"I haven't been that light since high school," Damon remarked, adding that the weight loss was a result of "a lot of training and a really strict diet."
He elaborated on this lifestyle change on Amy Poehler's "Good Hang" podcast, calling the elimination of gluten "life-changing." Damon stated that he didn't initially realize how much gluten was affecting him, and by not eating it, he has felt significantly better in his daily life. Despite his fondness for bread, beer, pasta, and pizza, Damon concluded that the improvement in how he feels is substantial.
