Ben Affleck’s children eagerly visited Matt Damon on the set of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey, an experience that contrasted sharply with their usual reluctance to visit Affleck’s own movie sets. The visit took place amid filming in various locations including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, and Scotland, highlighting the unique opportunity for Affleck’s kids to witness a large-scale fantasy epic firsthand.
Ben Affleck Shares His Kids’ Excitement About Visiting ‘The Odyssey’ Set
At 53, Ben Affleck appeared alongside Matt Damon, 55, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 13 to promote their new film, The Rip. During the conversation, Affleck revealed that he brought his three children—Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13—to visit the set of Nolan’s film. Usually, Affleck noted, his kids are disinterested in visiting his own productions.
“I’m a huge fan of Chris’,”
Affleck said.
“It’s one of those things where my kids never want to come to the set when I’m working. ‘Hey, you guys, we’re doing a thing on the set’ and they’re like, ‘No, I got school.’”
He explained that despite their typical resistance, his children were especially enthusiastic about this visit because of a personal connection to the material.
“But they were really psyched to come visit this set. My middle child’s really interested in reading the Iliad and the Odyssey, and we went there, and it was really great.”
Affleck expressed gratitude toward Nolan for allowing the visit, which gave his children a rare glimpse behind the scenes of a highly ambitious project.
“My kids really liked it,”
Affleck shared.
“It was kinda cool. It was really, really nice. I was deeply grateful to him.”
Exclusive Set Access and Rigorous Filming Schedule Explained by Matt Damon
Matt Damon provided further insight into the filming process, highlighting how Affleck and his children enjoyed an exclusive experience as the only guests on set during the entire six-month shoot.
“You were the only guest in six months of shooting,”
Damon told Affleck.
Damon elaborated on the demanding nature of the production, which left no room for extras or visitors due to the intense workload required.
“It’s just the workload, it was such an ambitious project that the amount of work that needed to be done, there was just no time for anything else,”
Damon explained.
“I’ve never, ever done a movie that just required every single person to work, to kind of give maximum effort.”
Damon remarked that every location for the film pushed the cast and crew to their limits.
“I said to [Affleck] when I got back, every location on that movie would have been the hardest location on any other movie I’ve ever done, and any day of work would have been harder than any other day on any other movie I’ve ever done.”
Matt Damon Reflects on His Career Highlight and Cast Ensemble
Despite the grueling schedule, Damon described his role as Odysseus in The Odyssey as a pinnacle in his career. The film brings to life Homer’s ancient Greek epic, featuring a star-studded cast including Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron.
“It was absolutely the pinnacle of my entire career. I loved every minute of it,”
Damon said.
The movie is set for release on July 16, generating considerable anticipation among fans of classical literature and epic filmmaking alike.
Ben Affleck Reflects on His Long-Standing Friendship with Matt Damon
On the same day, Affleck spoke warmly about reuniting with Damon for The Rip, revealing a deep admiration for his longtime friend both personally and professionally.
“I keep relearning things about Matt that I already knew and I forget them,”
Affleck joked during an exclusive with Us Weekly at their New York City premiere.
“Honestly, I am continuously reminded of what a great father he is and what a fabulous actor he is.”
He touched on the unique nature of their intertwined careers and enduring friendship.
“You’re really lucky if you can do this for a living,”
Affleck said.
“And you’re exceptionally lucky if you can do it with people you love and care about.”
The Rip premiered on Netflix on January 16, marking another milestone in the long collaboration between Affleck and Damon.
Significance of the Visit and Anticipation for Upcoming Releases
Ben Affleck’s kids’ visit to the set of The Odyssey provided them a rare, immersive experience that sparked a genuine interest, particularly linked to their educational exposure to Homer’s epic tales. The visit symbolizes how film sets can serve as bridges between family life and professional worlds for actors like Affleck, offering impactful moments even amid busy careers.
Meanwhile, the intense production led by Christopher Nolan and the impressive cast roster underscore The Odyssey as a highly anticipated release for summer 2025. Fans can look forward to witnessing a grand cinematic interpretation of one of literature’s most enduring stories, brought to life by some of Hollywood’s leading talents.
