Matt Damon is an entertainment industry icon, and he has transformed for many roles, but his latest transformation may be his most memorable yet. Damon stars in Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” and the famed director knew exactly what he wanted the actor to look like in the film.
Matt Damon’s Physical Transformation
In an appearance on Jason and Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast, the actor discussed his incredible transformation, losing weight and getting into phenomenal shape for the film. “The Odyssey” will be in theaters on July 17, 2026. Jason informed Damon that he saw a photo of him online and that he looked muscular, or, as he put it, “yoked,” to which Damon replied, “Yeah, I was in really good shape.”
He continued, “I lost a lot of weight. [Director Christopher Nolan] said he wanted me like lean but strong. It’s a weird thing. I literally, just because of this other thing I did with my doctor, stopped eating gluten. I used to walk around between 185 and 200 pounds. and I did that whole movie at 167 pounds.”
Damon also shared that he was the lightest he had been since high school and revealed how he achieved that. “It was a lot of training and a really strict diet,” he shared.
The Lasting Change Matt Damon Has Made to His Diet
Damon also shared that he had a trainer to help him achieve his goals. “When I do that or when I do the Jason Bourne movies or whatever, it feels almost like a season, I would imagine, what that feels like for you guys where you’re preparing,” he shared of preparing for roles. “It’s like just part of your day. It’s part of your job, right? Like you get really routinized about it and kind of build your day around all that stuff. That’s kind of the physical side of getting ready.”
There is one more permanent change the actor has made since his preparation for the film. “I’m done. I’m gluten-free everything. I found a gluten-free beer,” he said. “It’s been so long since I’ve had gluten, I can’t tell if it’s good or not. So that’s a good sign.”
The interview was shared on YouTube, which gave fans an opportunity to react to what Damon was saying. “In a long list of great episodes, this may have been my favorite. Three emotionally intelligent talented men talking about sports, film, kids and life is a rare gift,” a fan shared. “Matt Damon…. what a lovely down-to-earth guy!” another comment reads.
Other reactions include, “LOVE this show ! Love how the guests are always presented in a humanizing light, if that makes sense. Usually they are stars. But here they are just normal people, with a job,” and “Matt Damon, a wise man…such an enjoyable interview.”
