Matt Damon Praises His Stunt Double in 'The Odyssey'
Matt Damon reveals his stunt double in 'The Odyssey' was a woman, highlighting the importance of female stunt performers in Hollywood. He shares insights about his preparation and the creative filming techniques used.
In a recent interview, Matt Damon, the star of "The Odyssey," expressed his admiration for his stunt double, revealing that a woman filled this role. This revelation highlights a growing recognition of female stunt performers in Hollywood.
Damon is known for taking on many of his own stunts, a rarity among Hollywood actors. However, he acknowledges that certain specialized skills, especially in motorcycle and car stunts, necessitate the use of a double. Notably, he has only had a few doubles throughout his career, with Ben Dimmock being the most frequent, having stood in for him in "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "Jason Bourne." Despite the physical demands of his roles, Damon has remarkably avoided serious injuries, although co-stars like Tim Griffin have not been so lucky, having been accidentally knocked unconscious by him.
For his portrayal of Odysseus in Christopher Nolan's fantasy epic, Damon underwent significant physical transformation, shedding 15 kilograms and training in professional rowing to deliver an authentic performance. His dedication to fitness has garnered him much praise.
However, even with his rigorous preparation, Damon required a stunt double for certain scenes. During his appearance on the podcast "Happy Sad Confused" with journalist Josh Horowitz, he shared his appreciation for his stunt double, stating:
“My double was a woman, a stuntwoman with the greatest arms I’ve ever seen. When she came into the catering tent, I met her for the first time. I went up to her, hugged her, and thanked her for all the hard work she had done.”
A noteworthy aspect of Damon's role involved the use of his stunt double, Devyn Dalton, who was essential for a specific scene involving Odysseus and his men encountering the giant Laestrygonians in the forests of Telepylos. Dalton's height of just 1.37 meters allowed for creative filming techniques that avoided CGI, employing classic camera tricks similar to those used by Peter Jackson in "The Lord of the Rings" films.
“There are shots where these giants loom over me – and that’s her. It was almost 100 percent my arms in the film, but credit where credit is due.”
Dalton, a Canadian actress, has also appeared in various productions, including "Scary Movie 6," "Playdate," "Weapons – Die Stunde des Verschwindens," and "Die Rache der Polly McClusky," showcasing her versatility as a stunt performer.
