Matt Damon’s Radical Physical Overhaul for Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

Matt Damon’s latest venture with Christopher Nolan has seen the actor take on a role quite unlike any he’s tackled before. Cast as Odysseus, the storied King of Ithaca, Damon found himself at the centre of a sweeping fantasy adventure, braving tempestuous seas and legendary monsters in a retelling of Homer’s enduring classic. For this part, the actor was required to present a version of himself that would surprise even his most devoted followers.

Appearing on the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce, Damon, now 55, opened up about the lengths he went to for the role.

“I had a beard like yours for like a year. I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. [Nolan] wanted me lean but strong. Just because of this other thing that I did with my doctor, I stopped eating gluten. I used to walk around at between 185 and 200 [pounds], and I did that whole movie at 167. And I haven't been that light since high school. So it was a lot of training and a really strict diet.”

The transformation was not merely cosmetic; it demanded a rigorous regime and a level of discipline that pushed Damon well outside his comfort zone.

Epic Locations and a Relentless Schedule

Between February and August last year, Nolan’s production team set up camp in some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. The shoot spanned Morocco, Iceland, Scotland, Greece, Italy, and Malta, each location chosen for its ability to evoke the mythic scale of Odysseus’ journey. Damon recalled his reaction to the ambitious settings:

“We would get there and I'd just start laughing. I'd be like, 'Nobody has any business shooting here! Of course he wants to shoot here. That tracks.' He has such a great crew. His crew is so badass. And everybody just maxed out on that movie, and we made all of our days. We actually finished ahead of schedule. It was an awesome experience.”

The cast and crew, it seems, were more than up for the challenge, managing to wrap ahead of time despite the demanding itinerary.

On-Set Mishaps and a Star-Studded Ensemble

Not every moment on set was smooth sailing. Benny Safdie, who takes on the role of Agamemnon, recounted a particularly memorable misstep during filming in Morocco. He ventured out to explore the local scene, sampling food and drink along the way.

“We were in Morocco and I wanted to see the place, and so on my day off I asked this guy, I was like, 'Hey, can you take me around to some of the things?' and I ate the food, I drank the things, and then I remember talking to Chris and being like, 'The water, what's that like here?' and he's like, 'You don't drink it', and I'm like [sighs]. In my head I'm like, I saw the moment and I'm like, oh that's gonna be a thing. Then I remember just going to the doctor and them putting this stethoscope on my stomach and then just went, 'Wow! Something's going on in there!'”

It’s a reminder that even the most seasoned professionals can be caught out by the unfamiliar.

The film’s cast is nothing short of impressive. Anne Hathaway steps into the role of Penelope, Tom Holland appears as Telemachus, and Charlize Theron brings Circe to life. Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, Zendaya, and John Leguizamo all feature, with James Remar, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliot Page, Samantha Morton, and Logan Marshall-Green also on board in as-yet-undisclosed roles.

Nolan’s Vision Set for the Big Screen

With Christopher Nolan both directing and penning the script, anticipation for this adaptation is running high. The Odyssey is slated for release on 17 July 2026, promising audiences a fresh take on one of literature’s most enduring tales, brought to life by a cast and crew who have clearly given their all.