Ben Affleck teases Christopher Nolan’s major action scenes inThe Odysseyand Matt Damon’s prep, calling it “Bourne Identity kind of territory.“Nolan’s next movie, which started filming in late February, is an adaptation of the epic Ancient Greek poem by Homer that follows Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca, on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. Playing Odysseus is Matt Damon who, over two decades ago, starred inThe Bourne Identity, one of the most influential action movies ever made.
In a new profile byGQ, while discussing his own training forThe Accountant 2,Ben Affleck teased his lifelong friend Matt Damon’s prep for Christopher Nolan’s new movie. Affleck says Damon is “doing a lot of stunt rehearsal” forThe Odyssey, which he hasn’t done in a long time, comparing the fights to 2002’sThe Bourne Identity. Read Affleck’s full comments below:
It’s one of the things I was talking to Matt about—he’s going off to do this Chris Nolan movie and doing a lot of stunt rehearsal, and it was kind of like,Boy, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?Where you really have to go learn the fights—this isBourne Identitykind of territory.
What Matt Damon’s Prep Means For The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan Is Returning To Action
After histhrilling historical epicOppenheimer, which made nearly $1 billion at the box office and won Best Picture, was comprised mostly of characters talking in rooms,Christopher Nolan is returning to the action genre with his next movie,The Odyssey. The amount of action should be comparable to some of his past films, such asTenet,Dunkirk, or evenThe Dark Knighttrilogy. Homer’s epicfollows Odysseus on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War as he encounters the cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the witch goddess Circe, which should result in some stunning action sequences on screen.
10 Best Christopher Nolan Action Scenes, Ranked
Christopher Nolan has earned a reputation as a director of intelligent, original blockbusters, and his best action scenes deliver spectacular thrills.
The Bourne Identityis an interesting reference point forThe Odyssey’s action. Released in 2002,The Bourne Identityis widely considered one of themost influential action movies ever made. It reshaped the way Hollywood approached action filmmaking in the 21st century – introducing a more grounded, realistic, and intense style that moved away from the over-the-top, effects-heavy action of the 1990s. Nolan, known for his own preference for practical effects, combined with his use of new IMAX film technology, could makeThe Odysseyan equally influential action movie.
Our Take On The Odyssey’s Action
There Is Some Great Potential
With Nolan’s past action movies emphasizing practical stunts and intricate choreography,The Odysseycould blendBourne-style hand-to-hand combat with large-scale, mythological spectacle. The escape from the Cyclops could feature brutal, close-quarters fighting, while the Sirens' deadly song could create a tense, psychological struggle at sea. Circe’s enchanted battle may showcase some magical-infused combat with a grounded intensity. If Nolan leans intoThe Bourne Identity’s visceral action,The Odysseycould redefine epic fantasy filmmaking.
The Odysseyis scheduled for a theatrical release on July 16, 2025.
