Matt Damon is no stranger to extreme transformations, and his latest role was also seemingly quite demanding. The Oscar-winning actor underwent a dramatic physical change, slimming down to 167 pounds in preparation for an intense upcoming project, The Odyssey, that has already sparked widespread curiosity.
Here’s what we know so far about the actor’s striking transformation and the role behind it.
Matt Damon details intense weight loss for role in The Odyssey
In a recent episode of the New Heights podcast featuring Jason and Travis Kelce, Matt Damon shared insights about his weight loss journey.
The Oscar-winning star disclosed that he managed to drop down to his “high school” weight of approximately 167 pounds in preparation for an exciting role, a change he described as necessitating a rigorous diet and training plan.
It seems Matt Damon truly went the extra mile, both literally and figuratively, for his role as Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s eagerly awaited film, The Odyssey. During the podcast, he elaborated on how Nolan envisioned him looking “lean but strong” for his interpretation of the iconic Greek hero.
“I had a beard like yours for like a year,” Damon told Jason Kelce. “I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. Nolan wanted me lean but strong,” he added.
Then, he went on to provide more details about his fitness journey, highlighting how dietary changes made a substantial impact on his routine. To achieve his desired appearance, Damon implemented a few lifestyle adjustments.
Damon revealed, “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 [pounds], and I did that whole movie at 167 [pounds]. And I haven’t been that light since high school. So it was a lot of training and a really strict diet.”
Moreover, the Good Will Hunting star has completely cut gluten from his life. He hasn’t brought gluten back into his diet since finishing filming, emphasizing his commitment to a gluten-free lifestyle.
