Matt Damon reveals Ben Affleck was first to learn about his 'The Odyssey' role: 'He freaked out'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Some friendships never miss a beat, even when one of Hollywood's biggest career moments is on the line. Matt Damon recently proved that his bond with Ben Affleck is exactly that kind of friendship.

The actor revealed that the Oscar winner was among the first people to hear about his starring role in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'.

Damon first tried calling his wife, but when she couldn't answer, he called his longtime friend Ben Affleck instead. In an unexpected twist, Affleck became the first person to learn that Damon had landed the role of Odysseus in 'The Odyssey'. As Damon recalled, Affleck "freaked out."

The story serves as another reminder that when it comes to Damon and Affleck, decades of friendship still come first, even during blockbuster moments.

Ben Affleck 'freaked out' over Matt Damon's casting

Speaking during a promotional interview, Damon explained that his first instinct was to call his wife, Luciana Barroso, after accepting the role. However, she was in the middle of a Zoom meeting and couldn't answer the phone.

"So, I immediately called my wife who was on a Zoom, and so she couldn't pick up and I called Ben and he freaked out," Damon recalled.

The excitement didn't stop there. According to the actor, Affleck took matters into his own hands before Damon had another chance to speak with his wife.

“I was on the phone with him for about a half an hour, and they were at the office in LA, and then I hung up with him and a minute later my wife texted, like, ‘Why didn’t you tell me first?’” Damon said.

The story highlighted the lifelong friendship between Damon and Affleck, who have known each other since childhood and have remained one of Hollywood's closest creative partnerships.

From winning an Academy Award together for 'Good Will Hunting' to launching their production company and continuing to collaborate throughout their careers, the pair have consistently celebrated each other's milestones.

Matt Damon transforms into legendary Odysseus

In Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey', Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca whose perilous journey home after the Trojan War forms the heart of Homer's ancient epic.

Far from being a flawless hero, Odysseus is celebrated for his intelligence, strategic thinking, and resilience. However, he is also deeply human, making mistakes that prolong his voyage and test both his family and companions.

The film follows his encounters with mythical creatures, dangerous temptations, and impossible odds as he struggles to reunite with his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus.

Damon's portrayal emphasizes the emotional burden of leadership, survival, and homecoming, making Odysseus a complex protagonist whose greatest battles are often internal as much as physical.