Ben Affleck Mockingly Reacts to Matt Damon’s Physique in ‘The Odyssey’
Ben Affleck couldn’t help but joke about Matt Damon’s impressive physique while promoting Damon’s role in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey. The longtime friends, who have shared decades of laughs and awards stages in Hollywood, continued their playful banter over Damon’s drastic physical transformation for the epic adaptation.
Affleck first made fun of Damon during a 2025 appearance on the Today Show with co-star Jon Bernthal to promote their movie The Accountant 2. He pointed out how Damon, now ripped and shirtless for The Odyssey, seemed proud to show off his new body. “Matt, soon as the first time, he got in shape in his life, whipped his shirt off. He was like, ‘Who can I show this off to?!’ I was like, ‘You wanna just hold back a little?’” Affleck told the outlet, poking fun at Damon while clearly admiring his dedication.
The two reunited on the Today Show recently, revisiting Affleck’s playful roast of Damon’s muscular appearance. “I am proud of him. Calvin Klein model. I think it’s very impressive,” Affleck said about a viral paparazzi shot of a shirtless Damon on the set. Damon tried to play it cool, but Affleck wasn’t letting him off the hook. “The director wanted me to get out there and lay on the couch and flex,” Affleck joked, mocking Damon’s attempt to downplay his transformation.
Despite the teasing, the exchange highlighted the close friendship between the two actors and brought attention to the hard work Damon put into preparing for the physically demanding role of Odysseus.
Matt Damon "lost a ton of weight" for Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY and cut down to 167 pounds.
— Nolan Archive (@NolanAnalyst) January 8, 2026
“[Nolan] wanted me lean but strong. Just because of this other thing that I did with my doctor, I stopped eating gluten. I used to walk around at between 185 and 200, and I did that… pic.twitter.com/0SRHkFkpKv
The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan, is based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic about Odysseus’ long journey home after the Trojan War. Damon plays the titular hero, a warrior facing challenges at every turn.
The film also stars Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and Zendaya as Athena, alongside Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, and Elliot Page. According to Universal Pictures, the film is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026. Early footage and photos have already sparked excitement, showing Damon navigating breathtaking locations and intense action sequences.
A film by Christopher Nolan shot entirely with IMAX film cameras. Watch The Odyssey trailer and experience the film in theaters 7 17 26. pic.twitter.com/Lqap9dFI09
— The Odyssey Movie (@odysseymovie) December 22, 2025
Affleck’s playful commentary not only entertained fans but also underscored Damon’s commitment to transforming himself for one of the most anticipated films of the year.
It’s fun to see Hollywood friendships like this where actors can joke and support each other at the same time. Damon’s transformation for The Odyssey shows real dedication, and Affleck’s humor makes it even more entertaining. What do you think about Matt Damon’s new look for the role? Share your thoughts in the comments.