Matt Damon recounted his experience working under Clint Eastwood’s directing style, revealing that Eastwood denied his request for additional takes during the first day of shooting the 2009 film Invictus. Damon, who carefully prepared the South African accent for his role as a rugby player, faced the filmmaker’s famously efficient approach on set.
Working With Eastwood’s Efficient Approach
Many actors who have collaborated with Clint Eastwood describe his directing style as demanding but insightful. Tom Hanks, who starred under Eastwood’s direction in Sully, noted that Eastwood rarely uses direct commands like “cut,” opting instead for subtle signals indicating when he has what he needs. Echoing this sentiment, Damon explained that he invested significant effort with a dialect coach to perfect his accent ahead of filming.
It was a lot of work,
Damon said about his preparation with the coach.
Eastwood’s Blunt Yet Considerate Rejection
After Damon had prepared extensively, he was ready to deliver the scene perfectly on the first take. When Damon suggested doing additional takes to explore different options, Eastwood dismissed the idea, aiming to maintain efficiency on set. Damon recalled the director’s straightforward response:
‘Why? You wanna waste everybody’s time?’
Damon understood Eastwood’s focus on respect for the crew’s time and agreed to move forward. Despite the refusal, Damon spoke warmly of Eastwood, describing him as a lovely person who communicated his decisions with kindness throughout the filming process.
His whole mentality was… your crew will go to the ends of the Earth for you if as long as you’re not taxing them on every shot,
Damon shared.
The Lasting Impact of Eastwood’s Directing Style
Eastwood’s directing style, characterized by minimal takes and an emphasis on efficiency, has influenced many actors in Hollywood, including Damon and Hanks. While the approach can create moments of tension or anxiety for performers wanting to perfect their scenes, it also fosters a disciplined environment that values time and effort. For Damon, working with Eastwood was both challenging and respectful, reflecting the filmmaker’s enduring legacy.
