Matt Damon pushed himself hard for The Odyssey, but there is one kind of physical movie transformation he says he will not do again.
People reported that Damon lost weight and adopted a strict lifestyle to play Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic. He got down to 167 pounds, which he described as his high school weight.
Damon said the weight loss for The Odyssey was handled in a healthy way, but he no longer sees every physical transformation as worth the risk.
The Odyssey Required a Full Lifestyle Change
To play Odysseus, Damon, 55, gave up gluten and focused on getting physically fit. He said the preparation involved changing his diet and being very intentional about what he put into his body.
Damon said the role required a warrior’s mindset because Nolan’s film puts Odysseus through storms, monsters and a punishing 20-year journey home. He can still train intensely for a role, but he is no longer interested in pushing his body in ways he considers unsafe.
Variety previously reported that Damon said he completed the movie at 167 pounds after cutting out gluten, calling it the lightest he had been since high school.
People noted that he famously gained weight for the 2009 movie The Informant!, but Damon made clear that what he was willing to do earlier in life is not necessarily what he will do now.
He Called the Movie His Hardest Project
View this post on Instagram
Damon described The Odyssey as the most challenging movie he has ever been part of. The film was shot across Greece, Iceland, Scotland, Italy and Morocco, giving the production the feeling of an expedition rather than a normal shoot.
He said the cast and crew were often cold, wet and exhausted, but took pride in getting through each week. Damon also noted that Nolan was enduring the same harsh conditions, which made the effort feel shared rather than isolated.
People reported that the film was shot with IMAX cameras and features Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope and Tom Holland as Telemachus.
His Daughter’s Reaction Made It Worth It
The most meaningful review came from home. Damon said one of his daughters, who usually teases him about his work, saw The Odyssey and told him she was proud of him.
The Odyssey is scheduled to open in theaters July 17.