Matt Damon Opens Up About the “Unreadable” Movie He Wishes He Could Forget

Matt Damon recently opened up about a project in his career that he now calls “unreadable” and “really embarrassing,” reflecting on the challenges behind the scenes of a high-profile film.

Speaking to GQ, Damon revealed the struggles he faced during production, explaining that a rushed schedule and production issues left the team scrambling to figure out the script. “We had a start date. Like, ‘It’s coming out August of next year.’ We’re like, ‘Hang on, we’ve got to figure out what the script is,’” he said.

Damon has always been deliberate about choosing roles that challenge him. “I never wanted to do the same kind of movies over and over anyway,” he explained. “I’m just gonna try and dodge the label and keep doing what I am doing.”

He described the work as anxiety-inducing but rewarding, noting that preparing for a role requires intensive research and training, which often kept him restless and sleepless.

Specifically, Damon criticized aspects of The Bourne Ultimatum production, calling out writer Tony Gilroy while maintaining professional respect: “It’s just that it was unreadable. This is a career-ender. I mean, I could put this thing up on eBay and it would be game over for that dude. It’s terrible. It’s really embarrassing.”

He clarified that he didn’t blame Gilroy personally, acknowledging the complex nature of studio demands and the pressure to deliver a film on a tight timeline.

Despite these difficulties, The Bourne Ultimatum went on to become a critical and commercial success. Directed by Paul Greengrass, the 2007 action thriller follows Jason Bourne, the former CIA assassin played by Damon, as he continues to uncover secrets about his past and evades a new wave of operatives.

The film grossed over $444 million worldwide, becoming Damon’s highest-grossing lead role at the time. It also won three Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing.

The Bourne franchise continued with The Bourne Legacy (2012), which did not feature Damon, and Jason Bourne (2016), where he returned to the role. Damon’s reflections reveal that even highly successful projects can come with intense behind-the-scenes challenges, reminding fans that the path to making blockbuster films is rarely smooth.

It’s interesting to see a major star like Damon openly admit to frustrations on a successful film. It shows that even celebrated actors face professional challenges and difficult moments. What do you think about Damon’s candid reflections? Share your thoughts in the comments.