After more than three decades in Hollywood, Matt Damon has declared The Odyssey the crowning achievement of his career. The highly anticipated film, directed by Christopher Nolan, features Damon as the legendary Greek hero Odysseus, and promises to be a milestone in his professional life.
The Challenges and Dedication Behind The Odyssey’s Massive Production
Damon and longtime friend Ben Affleck recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote their new Netflix film, The Rip. During the conversation, Damon shared his experience working on Nolan’s ambitious adaptation of The Odyssey, highlighting the intense commitment required from the entire cast and crew.
It was absolutely the pinnacle of my entire career,
Damon said.
Affleck had the rare opportunity to visit the set amidst the strict filming schedule, where Damon joked that Affleck was the sole visitor in six months. Damon emphasized the production’s demanding nature, explaining that the scale of the project left no room for distractions or guests.
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 the maximum effort. I said to him [Affleck] that 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.
The Star-Studded Cast Bringing Homer’s Epic to Life
In The Odyssey, Damon portrays Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, embarking on a perilous return journey from the Trojan War. His character faces numerous mythical beings, including a formidable Cyclops, as he navigates his way home. The film boasts a notable ensemble cast featuring Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, and Charlize Theron.
Christopher Nolan’s Vision and What to Expect Next
Christopher Nolan not only directs but also writes the screenplay, basing it on Homer’s ancient epic poem. Nolan collaborates with producer Emma Thomas to bring this grand story to the screen, marking his next project following the critically acclaimed Oppenheimer. The Odyssey is slated for release on July 17, 2026, positioning itself as a major cinematic event for audiences worldwide.
