Matt Damon’s press tour for The Odyssey has turned into another reminder that his friendship with Ben Affleck is still one of Hollywood’s most reliable emotional side stories.
Entertainment Weekly reported that Damon praised Affleck during an MTV UK video interview with Zendaya, calling the actor and filmmaker one of the “great loves” of his life. The Independent also covered Damon’s comments about the phone call Affleck made after seeing Christopher Nolan’s new film.
The Odyssey opened in theaters on July 17.
Damon Said Their Friendship Has Lasted 45 Years
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While holding a photo of Affleck during the interview, Damon looked back on their 45-year friendship and said they had been through a lot together.
They grew up near each other, broke through together with Good Will Hunting, won Oscars together and kept returning to each other professionally long after they became major stars on their own.
Damon spoke about Affleck with the ease of someone who has spent most of his life being known, challenged and understood by the same person.
Affleck’s Reaction to The Odyssey Meant More Than Reviews
Damon said Affleck called him after watching The Odyssey, and the reaction was the kind of response he had been waiting decades to hear. According to Damon, Affleck talked for an hour and seemed to catch every detail in one viewing.
Affleck is also a filmmaker whose opinion Damon clearly takes seriously. The Independent reported that Damon said Affleck’s call felt like something he had been waiting 45 years to get.
The Movie Had a Few Reactions Damon Really Needed
Damon said Affleck’s response was one of the most meaningful reactions he received to the film. He also mentioned his wife’s reaction and the approval of his daughter Isabella, who he described as a tough critic of his work.
Damon joked about her past criticism of The Great Wall, making it clear that praise from the people closest to him can matter more than formal reviews.
The Friendship Keeps Becoming Part of the Story
The pair recently reunited onscreen in The Rip and continue working together through Artists Equity, the production company they founded in 2022.
They have been collaborators, childhood friends, Oscar winners, business partners and public fixtures in each other’s lives for decades.