Matt Damon is showing appreciation for two of Hollywood’s biggest young stars. In an interview with GQ published June 2, the Oscar winner reflected on working with Tom Holland and Zendaya in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, “The Odyssey.”
As he discussed his younger co-stars, Damon praised the way they have navigated the pressures of life in the global spotlight.
Matt Damon Says Tom Holland and Zendaya Handle Fame With Grace
Getty“He and Zendaya both, individually and together, are dealing with a lot more than I had to,” Damon said. “And I think doing it really gracefully.”
The highly anticipated film stars Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, while Holland portrays his son, Telemachus. Zendaya takes on the role of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.
Damon Admits He Has a Soft Spot for Holland
GettyDamon also spoke warmly about Holland, who continues to take on younger roles despite already being one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
“I really adore that guy,” Damon said. “And he’s handling a lot of scrutiny.”
The actor’s comments reflected both admiration and a sense of protectiveness toward his younger co-star, whose personal life and career have frequently made headlines.
‘The Odyssey’ Reminded Damon of an Earlier Era
Beyond his admiration for his co-stars, Damon said “The Odyssey” carried a deeper meaning for him. The experience reminded him of the kind of filmmaking that first drew him to the industry and left him feeling nostalgic about how much Hollywood has changed over the years.
“Because of where the movie business is going, it was a really weird movie for me personally,” Damon explained. “I had almost a nostalgic feeling the entire time I was making it, because it felt like movies were when I started working.”
Damon said the film felt like a rare chance to revisit an era of moviemaking he believes is fading.
“And I know that that’s going away. I knew that this was the last chance I was ever going to have to do something like this,” he added.
Family Has Become a Bigger Focus
For Damon, that shift has become increasingly personal. As his children have gotten older, he said he has made a greater effort to stay present and appreciate the moments happening right in front of him.
“I think about it a lot, especially as my kids are getting older: really trying to be here now,” he said.
The actor acknowledged that finding balance has not always come easily in an industry known for its uncertainty and constant demands.
“It’s such an uncertain business and a pretty ruthless one,” Damon said. “Those kinds of things have conspired to, I think, maybe take me out of where I am, more than I’d like.”
Now, after decades in Hollywood, Damon said his perspective has evolved. Rather than feeling driven to prove himself, he has learned to value work that feels meaningful and approach each project with intention.
“There’s less of that kind of young person’s engine of needing to prove something and more about, like, accepting work and doing it on your terms and doing it as precisely and as well as you can,” he told GQ.
