For Matt Damon, Odysseus is not defined by heroism alone but by the consequences of the choices he makes
Speaking during The Odyssey press conference in Mumbai, Damon described the legendary Greek king as a deeply human character whose journey continues to resonate because it is rooted in accountability. “You will live with the consequences of your choices, so choose carefully,” he said, summing up what he believes audiences can take away from the film.The actor said revisiting Homer’s epic at this stage of his life gave him an entirely new perspective on the character. “He’s flawed. He doesn’t make the right choice. He very much has to live with what he’s done,” Damon said, adding that those imperfections are what make Odysseus enduring across generations. If he had to describe the character in a word, he said, it would be “complicated,” before adding that “endurance” became equally important after completing the film.
Screengrab from The Odyssey | Official New Trailer |Universal Pictures
Damon also called The Odyssey the defining role of his career. With more than three decades in cinema behind him, he said the project brought together every skill he had developed over the years. Working with Christopher Nolan on such a practical, large-scale production felt, in his words, like “my one chance to make a David Lean movie.”
He praised the thousands of technicians and crew members who joined the production across multiple countries, describing them as some of the finest professionals in the industry. Every location brought together specialists who contributed to ambitious sequences, creating what he called an extraordinary collaborative effort.
Screengrab from The Odyssey | Official New Trailer |Universal Pictures
Recalling one of the production’s biggest action scenes, Damon shared a moment that captured the sheer scale of the film. While shooting the fall of Troy amid burning buildings, massive battle sequences, and thousands of performers, he heard Nolan call “cut.” As the camera was lowered, cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema turned to him and remarked, “You realise this is a flashback?” Damon laughed as he remembered thinking, “This is really big. This is as big as it gets.”
Screengrab from The Odyssey | Official New Trailer |Universal Pictures
He also acknowledged the enormous challenge of producing a film of this scale, joking that he had told Emma Thomas he was grateful not to be in her position. Yet, he said the production succeeded because everyone involved brought years of experience from previous films, making them ready to take on one of the most ambitious projects of their careers
