Matt Damon Calls Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ the Role of a Lifetime

Matt Damon says Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey felt like a “last movie” opportunity because major epic roles are rare for actors in their mid-50s.

In a new interview with Time magazine, the 55-year-old actor reflected on playing Odysseus in Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s classic Greek tale, which is scheduled to reach theaters on July 17.

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

Damon clarified that he is not retiring from acting. Instead, he described the project as a rare and demanding experience that may not come around again in modern Hollywood.

The actor praised Nolan’s filmmaking approach, noting that The Odyssey was shot largely with practical effects and real locations instead of heavy green-screen technology. According to Time, the movie is also the first feature-length film shot entirely on IMAX cameras.

“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, that's even trying to do that.”

Damon compared Nolan’s leadership style to a military commander working alongside his crew.

“When you're uncomfortable — and you are most of the time, physically — if you turn and look over your shoulder, he's no more than five feet away and doing the same thing without complaint,” Damon said. “There's something really nice about being a soldier in the foxhole and looking over and the general is right next to you.”

The film has a large ensemble cast. Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, while Tom Holland stars as their son Telemachus. Zendaya plays the goddess Athena, Robert Pattinson portrays Antinous, and Charlize Theron appears as Calypso.

Other cast members include Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, Lupita Nyong’o and rapper Travis Scott, who plays a bard.

Theron recently described Damon’s role as “the part of a lifetime” while speaking at the premiere of her film Apex.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey will open in theaters on July 17.