This GQ interview features actor Matt Damon reflecting on a career-defining year, headlined by his role in Christopher Nolan's epic, The Odyssey. Throughout the conversation, Damon discusses the unique challenges of the production and his broader approach to acting and the film industry.
Key Highlights of the Interview:
- The Odyssey & Working with Nolan: Damon shares the intensity of filming the first feature entirely in IMAX ( - ). He notes that Christopher Nolan's nerves are most palpable on the eve of a film's release ( - ), and he expresses deep gratitude for being able to contextualize such a massive project at this stage in his life ( - ).
- Acting Philosophy & Growth: Influenced by Quentin Tarantino's recent praise ( - ), Damon reflects on how he is "aging into" more dynamic performances (). He explains that as he gets older, his emotional "reservoir" is easier to tap into, allowing him to relax into roles rather than pushing too hard ( - ).
- Career Reflections & "The List": Damon candidly discusses the "cold calculus" of the industry, referencing a time in the early 2000s when he felt his career go "cold" before The Bourne Identity ( - ). He describes "the list"—an unwritten industry ranking of who studios will greenlight projects with—and admits that he has worked his way on and off it throughout his career ( - ).
- Memorable Collaborations: He recalls working with Jack Nicholson on The Departed ( - ) and shares an instructive anecdote about Nicholson's meticulous approach to minor script details and his use of an earpiece as a "fail-safe" ( - ).
- Future Projects: Damon shares that he recently worked on a project with the Daniels (the directing duo behind Everything Everywhere All At Once), which he describes as a "cosmic love bomb" ( - ). Looking ahead, he remains committed to his production studio, Artist Equity, and continuing his long-standing collaboration with Ben Affleck ( - ).