Matt Damon has credited a documentary about The Beatles as the catalyst for his increased collaboration with longtime friend and frequent co-star Ben Affleck. The two Hollywood stars have reunited on multiple projects recently, motivated by the idea of cherishing creative opportunities together while they still can.
History of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Early Success and Recent Collaborations
Damon and Affleck first gained widespread acclaim after co-writing and starring in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting, which earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Although both advanced to prominent individual careers, their joint appearances in films were relatively rare until recent years. Over the past four years, they have teamed up for three movies: the medieval drama The Last Duel, the sports biographical film Air, and the upcoming action thriller The Rip.
Damon’s Emotional Realization Inspired by The Beatles Documentary
In a recent GQ interview, Damon shared that watching Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary series The Beatles: Get Back made him realize the importance of collaboration. The series concludes by noting The Beatles never reunited after their breakup, which deeply affected Damon and pushed him to continue creating movies with Affleck.
Who cares if we oversaturate the marketplace with movies we’re both in?
he said.
We’re crazy if we don’t take advantage of the fact that we are both still here and able to do this.
Ben Affleck’s Praise for Damon’s Acting Craft
Affleck also spoke highly of Damon’s skills as an actor during the interview, reflecting on his admiration for Damon’s subtle and authentic performances.
Every time I act with Matt is a humbling experience,
Affleck remarked,
because I learn to appreciate further just how good an actor he is. He is so understated, so real and so honest — it’s the opposite of a ‘showy’ performance, and I think what he does is more difficult.
He added,
When you know someone as long as I’ve known Matt, you develop a pretty good sense of what is real and what isn’t and it’s almost impossible to catch Matt acting. He is really a master of realism and it’s something I deeply admire about him. One of many things.
Upcoming Projects for Both Actors
Their next joint project, The Rip, features Damon and Affleck as police detectives uncovering a hidden stash of millions of dollars. This film is scheduled to be released on Netflix on January 16, 2026. Meanwhile, Damon is set to star in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which has generated significant anticipation through early sold-out presales nearly a year in advance. On the other hand, Affleck recently expressed his waning enthusiasm for superhero films, describing his portrayal of Batman as “excruciating.”
Significance of Their Ongoing Collaboration
The renewed partnership between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck highlights the enduring value of creative friendships in Hollywood, particularly as they navigate evolving careers. Inspired by the story of The Beatles’ final separation, Damon’s commitment to working with Affleck reinforces the importance of seizing collaborative opportunities before they disappear. Their continued projects promise to engage audiences with diverse storytelling, while also showcasing the strong personal and professional bond between the two actors.
