Matt Damon Shares Why He Had a Female Stunt Double in ‘The Odyssey’ and Gives Her Credit

Matt Damon’s remarkable physical transformation into Odysseus has become a focal point of discussion surrounding ‘The Odyssey’ since its release, with both fans and co-stars expressing admiration for the lengths the actor went to embody the legendary king from Homer’s epic. His commitment, which included significant weight loss and muscle gain, has been a hot topic throughout the film’s promotional tour.

Recently, Damon took the opportunity to clarify who truly deserves recognition for a specific, highly praised moment in the film. Instead of merely accepting accolades, he highlighted an aspect of practical filmmaking that many viewers may not have noticed.

During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Damon explained that for the forced perspective sequence featuring the giant Laestrygonians, the production utilized stunt performers who were around seven feet tall alongside shorter actors to create the illusion of scale. He revealed that his own double for these particular shots was a woman, a stunt performer he described as having the most impressive arms he had ever seen.

Host Josh Horowitz complimented Damon on what he termed the best bicep work he had witnessed outside of a Chris Hemsworth film, prompting Damon to share the backstory behind the moment. He recounted meeting his stunt double for the first time in the catering tent during filming, where he immediately hugged her and expressed gratitude for her hard work.

According to Damon, several of the film’s striking shots featuring the towering giants looming over Odysseus actually showcase his stunt double instead of him. He was careful to clarify that the rest of the film’s physicality was genuinely his own, joking that nearly all of the arm shots were his, but he insisted on giving credit where it was due for this particular sequence.

Damon’s stunt double has been identified as Devyn Dalton, who reflected on her experience through an Instagram post celebrating the film’s release. She described her work on ‘The Odyssey’ as an adventure, expressing appreciation for being part of the Laestrygonian battle and calling it an epic team effort filled with hard work, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

The forced perspective technique used to depict the giants echoes classic filmmaking methods famously utilized in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy to convincingly portray characters of vastly different sizes within the same frame. This approach aligns with Christopher Nolan’s well-known preference for practical effects over digital solutions whenever feasible.

This revelation adds another layer to what has already been a heavily discussed transformation story throughout the film’s promotional cycle. Damon previously shared that dropping from approximately 200 pounds to 167 pounds for the role involved a complete lifestyle overhaul focused on diet and consistency rather than just intense gym sessions.

With ‘The Odyssey’ continuing its record-breaking theatrical run since its July 17 release, these behind-the-scenes insights into the film’s commitment to practical filmmaking further enhance its reputation as a genuine showcase of traditional craft. Given the attention Damon’s physique has already garnered, his moment of intentionally redirecting credit to his stunt double stands out as a particularly gracious gesture.

What are your thoughts on Matt Damon acknowledging his stunt double for those iconic giant battle shots? Share your opinions in the comments.