Matt Damon’s Stunt Double Devyn Dalton Impresses with Muscular Arms

Canadian stuntwoman Devyn Dalton stands in for Matt Damon as a muscular giant-battling double in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster The Odyssey, earning praise from the Hollywood star for having what he called “the greatest arms I’ve ever seen” during a podcast interview with Josh Horowitz on Happy Sad Confused.

Stunting for Scale: How 4ft 6in Dalton Doubled Matt Damon

In a pivotal sequence within Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic Greek poem, Odysseus and his men face the Laestrygonians, a tribe of giant armoured cannibals. According to production requirements for perspective and scale, the stunt performers doubling the main actors needed to have a much smaller physical stature to make Damon and his crew appear dwarfed by the goliaths. Dalton stands at 4ft 6in (137cm) tall.

Beyond her height, Dalton’s muscular, rippling arms matched Damon’s own biceps for the sequence. “Knowing my arms impressed Matt was honestly pretty special,” Dalton told the Guardian, adding that his public shoutout caught her completely by surprise.

From Child Actor to Global Stunt Recognition

Dalton began her professional acting career at nine years old after spending her childhood inventing characters and staging shows for her family. That early theatrical background gradually shifted into stunt performing, offering a physical medium for storytelling through strength. “We celebrate men who build careers around being powerful … so why shouldn’t women be celebrated for that too?” Dalton said to the Guardian.

After Damon’s press tour comments circulated globally, Dalton’s phone “absolutely exploded.” Currently filming a project in New Zealand, she noted that discovering her biceps had developed an online fan club was entirely unexpected.

Production Scale and Safety on Set in Scotland

Dalton secured the role through established professional networks between representatives and stunt coordinators, bypassing open casting calls. She flew to Scotland for filming, describing the experience as a constant reminder of the massive manpower required for a production of that scale. “What audiences see for a few minutes often represents months of preparation,” she told the Guardian.

Reflecting on her preparation, Dalton emphasized that professional stunt work relies on meticulous rehearsal rather than recklessness. “The best stunt performers are very aware of risk … so everything can be performed as safely as possible,” she stated.

Advocating for Women in Stunts

Recent online discussions among film audiences have highlighted a growing demand for stuntwomen to receive broader recognition for their physical execution. Dalton expressed pride in representing strong women within the industry. “I’m passionate about encouraging more people, especially young women, to realise there isn’t just one path into this industry,” she said. “I hope more young girls grow up believing they never have to choose between being strong and being themselves.”

Looking ahead, Dalton aims to transition into leading acting roles in films and television series where she can continue performing her own stunts. “Audiences are hungry for new faces … I’d love to show what I’m capable of,” she said.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Devyn Dalton double for in The Odyssey?

Devyn Dalton served as the stunt double for Matt Damon during key action sequences in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.

Why was Devyn Dalton cast for the role?

Standing at 4ft 6in (137cm), Dalton was cast because her small stature and muscular arms allowed her to make the main actors appear dwarfed by giant characters on screen.

What did Matt Damon say about Devyn Dalton?

During an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s podcast Happy Sad Confused, Matt Damon praised Dalton by stating she has “the greatest arms I’ve ever seen.”