In Christopher Nolan’s ambitious new adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, Matt Damon steps into the legendary role of Odysseus, the clever king and warrior whose long journey home tests both body and spirit.
While the film has already drawn praise for its sweeping scale and powerful performances, Damon recently shared some candid insights into the less glamorous realities of bringing those intense action sequences to life.
During an appearance on Radio Andy, host Andy Cohen asked Damon whether the cast performed all those demanding action scenes while wearing period-appropriate sandals.
The actor’s straightforward confirmation came with a humorous groan of recognition. At 55, Damon noted that many members of the ensemble are middle-aged, and the combination of running across the stone surfaces of Troy in authentic footwear quickly took its toll.
“A lot of us are middle-aged people and what we got was back pain because, oh my god, running through Troy [one of the movie’s settings], it’s all stone,” Damon said. “You’re in these sandals, and they’re very real.”
Beyond the immediate discomfort of scuffed and cut feet from the rugged filming conditions, the back issues stood out as the biggest challenge.
Damon recalled those weeks of intense physical work as a “heavy Advil movie,” highlighting the unexpected strain that came from staying true to the historical look of the characters. The commitment to realism in the costumes added an extra layer of difficulty to an already demanding production.
Off the screen, Damon prepared rigorously for the role by committing to a significant physical transformation. He aimed for a lean, muscular build around 167 pounds, which required more than just gym sessions.
The actor described it as a complete lifestyle shift, emphasizing careful attention to nutrition and intentional choices about what he consumed. He cut out gluten and made broader adjustments to his diet to support the level of fitness the part demanded.
The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Tom Holland as Damon’s onscreen son Telemachus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Odysseus’s steadfast wife. In other press appearances,
Damon has shared lighter behind-the-scenes moments, such as a memorable wardrobe mishap involving Holland’s costume that briefly left the younger actor struggling. These anecdotes paint a picture of a production that blended epic scope with the everyday realities—and occasional laughs—of collaborative filmmaking.
Nolan’s The Odyssey has already made a strong impression at the box office and with early audiences, celebrated for its immersive storytelling and the powerhouse performances at its core.
For Damon, the experience clearly pushed his physical limits, but it also reinforced his dedication to fully embodying one of literature’s most enduring heroes. The actor’s willingness to embrace both the glory and the aches of the role underscores why audiences continue to connect with these timeless tales of resilience and adventure.
