“The Odyssey” has assembled one of Hollywood’s most star-studded casts, bringing together some actors who are working alongside one another for the first time. While promoting the film, Robert Pattinson revealed he once thought his co-star, Matt Damon, had gone completely unhinged, only to learn that he was fully committing to his preparation for the role of King of Ithaca.
Christopher Nolan gathered an ensemble cast to bring Homer’s “The Odyssey” to life, including Matt Damon (Odysseus), Anne Hathaway (Penelope), Tom Holland (Telemachus), Robert Pattinson (Antinous), and Zendaya (Athena).
While promoting the epic fantasy movie, Pattinson recalled a memorable moment on set involving one of his co-stars. The “Batman” actor was asked whether there was a specific moment where he was in awe of Damon, and he revealed a behind-the-scenes look at how committed the actor was in fulfilling his role.
Pattinson said he once heard noises and screaming coming from Damon’s trailer, which was next to his. He said he always thought Damon was “such a nice guy” and didn’t know what to make of the screaming. “I thought he was on the phone and I’m like, ‘He’s a complete psycho.’ Like, he’s just like screaming. Screaming and screaming,” Pattinson told MTV U.K., adding that he also assumed the actor was having a “bad toilet experience.”
Later, he found out that Damon was straining his voice to “sound older” and more in character.
Matt Damon Went Through Rigorous Training
Damon has extensively discussed the preparations he did to play Odysseus and is in the best shape of his life due to physical training. He shed weight, as director Christopher Nolan wanted him to appear lean but strong.
The actor went through rigorous training and also followed a strict diet to achieve the ideal physique. Speaking with the Kelce brothers on the “New Heights” podcast, Damon said, “I stopped eating gluten. I used to walk around at between 185 and 200, and I did that whole movie at 167. And I haven’t been that light since high school.”
Moreover, Damon attended nautical rowing camp and learned to operate an ancient warship and trained in archery, combat, and swordplay.
‘The Odyssey’ Is The Actor’s Most Challenging Movie
Damon has appeared in more than 80 movies in his decades-long career, and he deems “The Odyssey” the most challenging movie he has ever done.
To be fair, Nolan told him beforehand that it was going to be “really hard.” “To his credit, he was not lying,” Damon told Willie Geist on the podcast “Sunday Sitdown.”
Nolan is well known for prioritizing practical effects over CGI, and for “The Odyssey,” the cast and crew shot in several countries to capture an authentic atmosphere. Some sequences were shot in the open ocean, which left some of the cast and crew seasick.
Damon said filming was “more like an expedition than a movie,” and everyone was pushed to their limits.
The Actor’s Last Days Of Filming Were Grueling
After filming for months in several locations around the globe, the production headed back to Universal Studios to shoot some scenes in a water tank that were too dangerous to do on open waters.
Despite the controlled environment, it was still challenging. Damon recalled getting to set and seeing jet engines that would help simulate a violent storm. Nolan also got in on the action while filming close-up shots of the actor.
“We did some stuff on the tank that involved Chris pouring water over my face while I was lying there, and I was like, ‘This is perfect. We’re ending this with waterboarding,’” Damon told PEOPLE.
Regardless of the challenges, Damon said he was left with a “feeling of gratitude,” describing the movie as the “best experience” he’s ever had in his career.
Matt Damon Received Praise From The Most Important People In His Life
Damon received overwhelming praise from critics and audiences, but the most meaningful ones came from people he loves the most.
He said his wife, Luciana, and their four daughters were all proud of his performance, but the approval meant the most coming from his daughter Isabella, whom he described as the toughest critic, even when he’s the one starring in the film.
He also got a call from his best friend, Ben Affleck. “He didn’t stop talking for an hour. It was like he’d seen the movie 20 times. He got absolutely everything. Every detail. He somehow soaked it all in one viewing,” Damon said.