Matt Damon Hails ‘The Odyssey’ As Most Rewarding Project Of His Career

Famous American actor Matt Damon has described starring in The Odyssey as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, admitting he approached the role as if it could be his final film.

Speaking in a new Time magazine profile on filmmaker Christopher Nolan and his upcoming epic, Damon reflected on the rarity of leading large-scale action films in his mid-50s.

“There aren’t a lot of people in their mid-50s as protagonists in these epics,” the Oscar-winning actor said. “I looked at this like the last movie I’d ever do.”

Despite the comment, the publication clarified that Damon is not retiring from acting. Instead, he viewed the role of Odysseus as a rare and rewarding opportunity, especially given the ambitious scale of the production.

The actor praised Nolan’s commitment to practical filmmaking, noting that much of the movie was shot on location using real sets and effects rather than green screens.

“Movies like this are not getting made anymore,” Damon said. “To do this without a green screen, the way that David Lean would have done it, I don’t know anybody, with the exception of Chris, who’s even trying to do that.”

Inspired by Odyssey, the film is set for release on July 17 and marks Nolan’s first feature shot entirely on IMAX cameras.