According to actor Matt Damon, the middle-aged cast of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming action fantasy film adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic, The Odyssey, suffered widespread physical strain, including heavy back pain and scuffed feet, during gruelling action sequences filmed on stone sets in Troy. Damon, who stars as the returning warrior Odysseus, revealed the physical toll in a recent interview while discussing the rigorous preparation required for the production.
Physical Toll on the Middle-Aged Cast
Filming large-scale action sequences for an epic motion picture demands severe physical endurance, often exposing the realities of age on set. According to Damon, speaking on Radio Andy with host Andy Cohen, the physical demands of running across hard stone surfaces left the cast dealing with persistent aches.
“A lot of us are middle-aged people and what we got was back pain because, oh my God, running through Troy, it’s all stone,” Damon stated, as reported by source materials. The 55-year-old actor added that the footwear required for the roles left the actors’ feet “all scuffed up” during the production.
Did you know? Playing the ancient Greek king and warrior required Damon to put on 76kg of muscle through an extremely strict diet and targeted training regimen, which included cutting out gluten entirely.
The Strict Footwear Ban on Set
While actors typically rely on comfortable footwear between takes to protect their joints and feet, director Christopher Nolan enforced a strict wardrobe rule to maintain immersion. According to statements made by Nolan on CBS Mornings, the filmmaker forbade his cast from wearing modern comfort items like Ugg boots while on location.
“I want to stay in the moment. We want actors to stay in the moment,” Nolan explained to CBS Mornings. “For me, the Ugg boots are a signifier of modernity.” Because of this rule, the cast found no immediate relief for their aching feet during breaks from filming the physically punishing scenes.
Rigorous Dietary and Training Regimens for Epic Roles
Transforming into a legendary Greek hero requires immense physical preparation behind the scenes. Damon detailed to People magazine the intense discipline needed to reach the physical condition expected of Odysseus.
“I stopped eating gluten, among other things,” Damon said regarding his preparation. “You have to just be very, very intentional about everything you put in your body.” This level of discipline, combined with the heavy action work, made the production period particularly demanding for the veteran cast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role does Matt Damon play in Christopher Nolan’s film?
Matt Damon stars as the returning warrior and king Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic, The Odyssey.
Why did the cast experience back pain while filming?
According to Matt Damon, the middle-aged cast experienced back pain and scuffed feet because the action sequences involved running across hard stone surfaces in Troy.
Are actors allowed to wear Ugg boots between takes on Nolan’s sets?
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