‘The Odyssey’: Matt Damon talks preparing for this iconic role

Let's talk about the biggest film out this weekend, probably the biggest film this summer. It's a 2800 year old story of a father simply trying to get home to his wife and son. And the main character's name is Odysseus, played by a 55 year old actor and father of four. You may have heard of, but let me introduce you. Matt Damon, Detroit, Detroit, Matt Damon. I know you many want to say hi to the folks. Hi, everybody. Let's talk about this. I remember talking to you for a couple of Bourne movies. You did a lot of running, and you were in great shape. But the shape for this movie seems different. What kind of shape is Matt Damon in for The Odyssey? Because it looks incredible. Yeah, Chris was very specific about what he wanted. He said, I want him to look lean, but strong. So it was, he described it basically as like very capable, like a, like a guy who's been in, you know, war, but, you know, wouldn't pass up a meal. So those were my marching orders. It warms my heart. This is a father-son movie about a dad getting back home. What advice would you have for someone? Because you went for your dream. We all know your story. What advice would you have for some young person that says, I want to do the dream? Study. And I think, I think what I've learned and subsequently heard other people say, and I really do believe, is the work that you do when nobody's looking is the most important work that you can do. You know, the, you want to, you want to prepare within an inch of your life when you get your hands on a role and then be available to what happens and be open and, you know, be truthful in that moment, the truth will out. But, but, but preparation. And, and that isn't, no, nobody gives you kudos for that. And nobody, nobody's there to pat you on the back. You have to do it for its own sake and find real joy in that. Um, cause that's, that's the, that's the differentiator. You've always been respectful, kind, all those things to me. What's kept you so grounded in this business? Cause this is the biggest movies get. Um, so I can't, my favorite answer to that ever was somebody at once, I was doing an interview with George Clooney and somebody asked George how he stayed so grounded and said, I have a team of people that do that for me. So when you I immediately thought to 20 years ago when he gave that answer, but, uh, well, I'll tell you what, I, I, I know you can relate to this. Uh, kids will keep you grounded. Amen. Yeah. Yeah. They will. They will. Um, you know, uh, in one way or another, you know, they don't, my kids aren't impressed at all with, uh, you know, with, with this side of my life. My dad is coming home and bringing it all said had to be with this film, with you in the lead. If there is one thing with my 15 seconds left, it has to have one thing that it has to have. Yeah. I know it's hard to narrow down to one thing, but we used so many movies. Um, well, I mean, for me, for me, this, this had chris Nolan. That was, that was all I needed. How does media will come back? What if I can't even Matt Damon says this is the biggest movie that he has ever made. The Odyssey is rated are in theaters today. So know that it's rated are because of violence more than anything. It already, it had 98% on rotten tomatoes yesterday. It has 96% today. I think all of them are accurate.