Matt Damon has opened up about the grueling six-month process he endured to transform into the legendary Greek hero Odysseus for Christopher Nolan's blockbuster film «The Odyssey.» The 55-year-old actor said the physical preparation, which included a strict gluten-free diet and meticulously measured food portions, essentially took over his life. The mythological epic, which premiered July 17, dominated the global box office with an estimated $264 million opening weekend—the biggest debut of Nolan's career.
Damon shared details of the transformation during an appearance on «Live with Kelly and Mark,» explaining that Nolan had a very specific vision for the character. The director told Damon he wanted Odysseus to look «lean and strong like somebody who's a veteran of the Trojan War and can handle himself, but wouldn't pass up a meal if it was offered to him.» Damon described that particular physique as «the hardest shape to get into,» noting that he had to follow an athlete-like regimen that consumed every moment of his day.
The «Good Will Hunting» star revealed that he slimmed down to 167 pounds for the role, a weight he hadn't seen since high school. In a conversation with the Kelce brothers on their podcast «New Heights,» Damon noted that he usually carries between 185 and 200 pounds. To achieve the lean-strong look, he adopted a gluten-free diet, which meant giving up beer and many other foods. «Everything's weighed,» he told hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. «It's just very, very intentional about everything.»
Damon admitted that the diet required difficult sacrifices, especially when his wife Luciana and their four daughters visited him while he was filming in Italy. He had promised to eat pasta with his family but ultimately ordered steak instead, explaining that he was fully committed and «it's all or nothing at this point.» He did, however, take a bite of each of his daughters' pasta dishes. Despite the challenges, Damon said he felt so much better on the gluten-free diet that he has continued it even after production concluded.
The actor drew on his past experiences with dramatic physical transformations, but emphasized that he now avoids extreme methods. For the 1996 war drama «Courage Under Fire,» Damon lost 40 to 50 pounds in about 100 days to play a Persian Gulf veteran, a process he later described as dangerous and potentially harmful to his heart. «I went too far,» he said, adding that a doctor warned him he could have permanently damaged his heart. For «The Informant!» in 2009, Damon gained about 30 pounds by eating everything in sight, a much more enjoyable experience.
Damon made clear that his approach to «The Odyssey» was different. «I didn't change it in an unhealthy way,» he said, noting that extreme weight gain would now be dangerous and something he won't do anymore. The actor's disciplined focus on achieving Nolan's vision—without risking his long-term health—reflects both his commitment to the craft and his maturity as a performer.