Matt Damon reveals the intense physical preparation required to play King Odysseus Christopher NolanThis epic adaptation reveals an extreme approach to filmmaking that he would never pursue again. The Oscar-winning actor discussed the daunting demands of bringing Homer’s ancient Greek poetry to the screen, calling the experience the most challenging of his entire career.According to this week’s cover story in People magazine, Damon dropped to 167 pounds, his high school weight, for the role. This dramatic transformation requires major lifestyle changes, not just simple weight loss. “I didn’t change it in an unhealthy way. I think if I had done the opposite and gained weight, it would have been dangerous and I wouldn’t do it again. I’m glad I did it so early in my life,” Damon told the publication.
Damon underwent a rigorous fitness and diet regimen to bring King Odysseus to life in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Image source (Instagram)
To embody the tortured, complex image of Odysseus, who traveled 20 years to return to his wife and son, Damon gave up gluten “among other things,” he said. Changes in eating habits are part of a comprehensive lifestyle overhaul. “It’s more about getting really, really healthy in the body, which really involves changing your diet, just a whole lifestyle change. You have to be very, very intentional about everything you put into your body,” Damon explains.
Physical filming across multiple continents
The production of “The Odyssey” pushed both cast and crew to their limits. Filming took place across Iceland, Scotland, Greece, Italy and Morocco, requiring the entire team to shoot in challenging locations and extreme weather conditions. Damon finds inspiration in the collective commitment of everyone involved in bringing the epic vision to life.“This movie was by far the hardest movie and the most challenging movie I’ve ever been a part of,” Damon said, describing how the participants “completely maxed out and pushed hard against what they thought was possible.” Making it feels completely different than a traditional filmmaking experience. “It definitely felt more like an adventure than a movie,” Damon noted, emphasizing the exploratory and arduous nature of the undertaking.Harsh conditions test everyone equally. “If you’re cold and wet, you turn around and see Chris is just as cold and just as wet and going through this,” Damon said, emphasizing how the director shared the physical and emotional demands of the cast and crew. At the end of each week, the entire team is exhausted. “People are just huffing and puffing. But when we get to the end of the week, we look around and it’s a real sense of pride, like, ‘Okay, another week.’I would go home like everyone else, get some sleep, rest up and get ready for Monday. I loved every minute of it,” he recalled.
Damon revealed his daughter’s rare words of encouragement after watching “The Odyssey” that made every challenge of filming the epic film worth it. Image source (Instagram)
Rare recognition from daughter
Despite the grueling production process, the most meaningful recognition came from Damon’s own family. The actor’s daughter remains refreshingly irreverent about his career achievements. “I have a daughter who has no respect for my movies and likes to get me into trouble,” Damon said. “She watched ‘The Odyssey,’ and at the end she turned to me and said, ‘Dad, I’m so proud of you.’‘”Damon laughed as he recalled the moment, explaining how important the rare compliment was. “She never said anything like that because we joked about it all the time. That’s when I was like, ‘I’m fine. It’s all worth it,'” he concluded, saying his daughter’s genuine admiration was a testament to every sacrifice and challenge he faced during the production.“The Odyssey” will be released in theaters on July 17.
