Why Matt Damon Paused His Hiatus For Nolan

Matt Damon reveals the stunning IMAX tech and massive world-building behind Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.

A Huge Surprise

It is not every day that one of the biggest directors in the world decides to make a movie based on something as old-timey as mythology.

When word first got out that Christopher Nolan was going to direct an action fantasy film titled The Odyssey, the entire web erupted.

After all, it is not every day that someone sees such a renowned director attempting to make a film about gods and monsters. However, if anyone can pull off a grounded fantasy film, then it is most likely Nolan.

Breaking The Hiatus

Matt Damon, star of the film that everyone will call a blockbuster hit, recently spoke about his wild experience and shared interesting facts about the movie. In short, Damon explained that he got himself an acting hiatus in return for couples’ counseling.

The only catch was that he had to cancel whatever the director asked him to do. In an ironic twist, Christopher Nolan called his star right when he had planned to have fun on his break.

Of course, when one of the most famous directors in the world asks someone to be a part of the film he is going to direct, then that person does not say no.

Building The Myth

The actor expressed his feelings about the project, saying that the whole thing was so big that it made him realize how far Nolan went to bring his vision to life.

It seems that the two had agreed from the very start to focus more on the grounded parts of the ancient myth.

Instead of making the story all about fantasy and supernatural forces, Nolan chose to create an entire world around the legendary characters.

Everything was built around dirt and grime, so the movie’s aesthetic was most definitely not the bright and shiny look everyone was expecting from a film about gods and monsters.

Pushing IMAX Boundaries

Of course, an epic movie such as The Odyssey deserved to be captured in the IMAX format, but there was also a catch. As the director explained, they did not even know if they could shoot the film in IMAX because the team had to use a special camera that used a mirror to capture the image.

It all sounds extremely complicated, but it is exactly the kind of challenge that Nolan is super obsessed with. If anything, the actor mentioned that the mirror system was a huge question mark for everyone because it was a risky endeavor.

The Technical Uncertainty

Damon spoke at length about the technical difficulties he and his fellow actors had to overcome to make the film as good as it is supposed to be. He mentioned that the only reason the mirror system was even considered was that the math and theory behind it were correct.

Of course, there was still reason to doubt whether or not it would all come together on-screen. Would they be able to act properly? Would they be able to capture the necessary shots? It is all extremely uncertain, but Nolan is the kind of filmmaker who always pushes the boundaries of modern technology.

Star-Studded Cast

Aside from the technical and visual aspects of filmmaking, one cannot talk about a movie without mentioning its cast. After all, stars such as Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, and Lupita Nyong’o are going to make the film’s release an unprecedented media spectacle.

This stellar cast has it all: Nolan veterans and the latest Hollywood A-listers. Everyone is super excited to see how such an eclectic mix of actors is going to bring the ancient myth to life on the big screen.

A Cinematic Event

In the end, Damon admitted that the only reason the cast felt like the IMAX format was the perfect choice was that it would make the audience feel like they were there with the characters.

After all, the actors would all be doing a fantastic job, so why not place them on the biggest possible screen? Everything from the dirt to the clothes was built around creating the best possible image for the viewer. In the end, The Odyssey is going to be more than just a summer blockbuster that everyone will remember.