Matt Damon approached The Odyssey as if it were “the last movie [he’d] ever do.”
A Rewarding Experience
The 55-year-old actor stars alongside the likes of Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron in The Odyssey. The film is Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic, The Odyssey.
Matt has now opened up about his experience of shooting the epic fantasy action film.
Matt told TIME magazine, “There aren’t a lot of people in their mid-50s as protagonists in these epics. I looked at this like the last movie I’d ever do.”
The Hollywood star found playing Odysseus to be the most rewarding experience of his acting career.
Matt shared, “Movies like this are not getting made anymore.”
“To do this without a green screen, the way that David Lean would have done it, I don’t know anybody, with the exception of Chris, that’s even trying to do that.”
Praise for Christopher Nolan
Matt has also heaped praise on Nolan, observing that he wholeheartedly committed himself to the movie.
The actor said, “When you’re uncomfortable—and you are most of the time, physically, just by nature of what’s required to get these shots—if you turn and look over your shoulder, [Nolan’s] no more than five feet away and doing the same thing without complaint.”
“There’s something really nice about being a soldier in the foxhole and looking over and the general is right next to you.”
Tom Holland Joining the Cast
Meanwhile, Tom Holland previously revealed that he joined the cast of The Odyssey before even reading the script.
The 29-year-old actor, who stars in the new movie alongside Zendaya, his long-time partner, admitted it was a “phone call of a lifetime” when he was offered the opportunity to take part in the eagerly anticipated film.
Tom told Good Morning America, “All I can say is that I’m incredibly excited. And obviously honoured, but that’s all I can say because, to be honest, that’s all I know.”
Tom – who is best-known for his appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – likened receiving the call to being cast as Spider-Man.
Tom explained, “When the opportunity came in, it was the phone call of a lifetime.”
“It was reminiscent of getting the call about ‘Spider-Man’ 10 years ago. It’s an amazing thing for me. I’m super proud and I’m really, really excited.”