Matt Damon’s Incredible Weight Loss Journey for His Role in The Odyssey

Matt Damon’s Dedication to His Craft

Matt Damon, the renowned actor, has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to his roles. For his latest film, The Odyssey, Damon underwent a significant transformation, losing a substantial amount of weight to embody his character, Odysseus.

The Weight Loss Journey

During an appearance on the podcast New Heights, hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, Damon revealed that he lost between 18 to 33 pounds for his role. The 55-year-old actor shared that director Christopher Nolan had specific requirements for the role, stating that he wanted Damon to be “lean but strong.”

Damon admitted that achieving this physique was no easy feat. He shared, “I used to walk around between 185 and 200 pounds, and I did that whole movie at 167 pounds. I haven’t been that light since high school. So, it was a lot of training and a really strict diet.”

The Preparation Process

The Academy Award winner compared his preparation for the role to the Kelce brothers’ preparation for football season. He explained that having a clear goal and setting it is crucial. Damon shared that he worked with his trainer daily, and the routine eventually became second nature.

“It’s like just part of your day. It’s part of your job, right? It’s like you get really routinized about it and kind of build your day around all that stuff. That’s kind of the physical side of getting ready,” Damon said.

Dietary Changes

In addition to his rigorous training, Damon also made significant changes to his diet. Around the same time, he stopped consuming gluten on his doctor’s recommendation. He noted, “I’m done. I’m gluten-free everything… I found a gluten-free beer. It’s been so long since I’ve had gluten, I can’t tell if it’s good or not. So that’s a good sign.”

Previous Weight Loss for Roles

This is not the first time Damon has lost a significant amount of weight for a role. In 1996, he shed an impressive 60 pounds for the film Courage Under Fire. He credited his success to running 13 miles daily and eating only chicken breasts.

The Upcoming Film

The Odyssey, set to hit theaters on July 17, promises to be an intriguing film. The synopsis reads: “A mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX® film technology.” The movie will feature a star-studded cast, including Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, and more.

For more information on the film, visit the official IMAX website.