Ben Affleck Roasts Matt Damon’s Ripped Physique in ‘The Odyssey’
Ben Affleck couldn’t help but joke about Matt Damon’s impressive physique while promoting his longtime friend’s role in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey. The pair, who have shared decades of laughs and awards stages in Hollywood, continued their playful banter over Damon’s drastic physical transformation for the epic adaptation.
Affleck first made fun of Damon during a 2025 appearance on the Today Show with co-star Jon Bernthal to promote their movie The Accountant 2. He pointed out how Damon, now ripped and shirtless for The Odyssey, seemed proud to show off his new body.
Matt, soon as the first time, he got in shape in his life, whipped his shirt off, Affleck told the outlet, poking fun at his friend while clearly admiring his dedication. He was like, ‘Who can I show this off to?!’ I was like, ‘You wanna just hold back a little?’
The two reunited on the Today Show recently, revisiting Affleck’s playful roast of Damon’s muscular appearance. I am proud of him. Calvin Klein model. I think it’s very impressive, Affleck said about a viral paparazzi shot of a shirtless Damon on the set.
Damon tried to play it cool, but Affleck wasn’t letting him off the hook during the interview. The director wanted me to get out there and lay on the couch and flex, Affleck joked, mocking Damon’s attempt to downplay his transformation.
Matt Damon "lost a ton of weight" for Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY and cut down to 167 pounds.
— Nolan Archive (@NolanAnalyst) January 8, 2026
“[Nolan] wanted me lean but strong. 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, and I did that… pic.twitter.com/0SRHkFkpKv
Despite the teasing, the exchange highlighted the close friendship between the two actors and brought attention to the hard work Damon put into preparing for the physically demanding role. The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan, is based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic about Odysseus’ long journey home after the Trojan War.
Damon plays the titular hero, a warrior facing challenges at every turn from gods and monsters. The film features a massive ensemble cast, including Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and Zendaya as Athena.
Other stars appearing in the epic include Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, and Elliot Page. According to Universal Pictures, the film is scheduled for release on July 17.
A film by Christopher Nolan shot entirely with IMAX film cameras. Watch The Odyssey trailer and experience the film in theaters 7 17 26. pic.twitter.com/Lqap9dFI09
— The Odyssey Movie (@odysseymovie) December 22, 2025
Early footage and photos have already sparked excitement, showing Damon navigating breathtaking locations and intense action sequences. Affleck’s playful commentary not only entertained fans but also underscored Damon’s commitment to transforming himself for one of the most anticipated films of the year.
The duo has been incredibly busy lately, as they are currently promoting their new Netflix crime thriller The Rip, which premieres on January 16. The film follows a group of Miami cops who discover a stash of millions in cash, leading to a web of distrust and betrayal.
Affleck and Damon produced the project through their company, Artists Equity, and made headlines for a first-of-its-kind deal with Netflix. They negotiated a one-time bonus for all 1,200 crew members if the film performs well on the streaming platform.
With The Odyssey set to be the first film shot entirely with new IMAX camera technology, the hype surrounding Damon’s performance and physical preparation continues to grow. Fans of the duo can expect more “razzing” as they continue their press tour for their various joint ventures.
What do you think about Matt Damon’s physical transformation for his role as Odysseus in the comments?
