Matt Damon Reveals Exactly Why He Had a Female Stunt Double in ‘The Odyssey,’ and Gives Her All the Credit

Matt Damon’s dramatic physical transformation into Odysseus has become one of the most talked about aspects of ‘The Odyssey’ since the film’s release, with fans and co-stars alike marveling at just how far the actor went to embody Homer’s legendary king. Between dropping significant weight and building visible muscle, Damon’s dedication to the role has generated headlines throughout the entire press tour.

That attention took an interesting turn recently when the actor decided to set the record straight about who actually deserves credit for one specific, widely praised moment in the film. Rather than simply accepting the compliments, Damon used the opportunity to highlight a piece of practical filmmaking most viewers likely never noticed.

Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Damon explained that during the forced perspective sequence involving the giant Laestrygonians, the production used stuntmen who stood around seven feet tall alongside performers under five feet to sell the illusion of scale. He revealed that his own double for those specific shots was a woman, a stunt performer he described as having the greatest arms he had ever seen.

Host Josh Horowitz had praised Damon for what he called the greatest bicep work he had seen outside of a Chris Hemsworth film, prompting Damon to reveal the twist behind the moment. Damon recalled meeting his stunt double for the first time in the catering tent during filming and going straight up to hug her and thank her for all the work she had put in.

According to Damon, several of the film’s most striking shots showing the towering giants looming over Odysseus actually feature his stunt double rather than the actor himself. He was careful to clarify that the rest of the film’s physicality remained genuinely his own, joking that it was almost 100 percent his arms in the movie, but insisting on giving credit where it was due for this particular sequence.

Damon’s stunt double has since been identified as Devyn Dalton, who shared her own reflections on the experience through an Instagram post celebrating the film’s release. She described her work on ‘The Odyssey’ as an adventure, expressing gratitude for being part of the Laestrygonian battle and calling it an epic team effort built on hard work, shared laughs, and lasting memories.

The forced perspective technique used to create the giants echoes classic filmmaking methods famously employed throughout ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy to convincingly show characters of dramatically different sizes sharing the same frame. That approach fits squarely within Christopher Nolan’s well-documented preference for practical effects over digital solutions whenever physically possible.

This revelation adds another layer to what has already been a heavily discussed physical transformation story throughout the film’s promotional cycle. Damon previously explained that dropping from roughly 200 pounds to 167 pounds for the role involved a complete lifestyle overhaul centered on diet and consistency rather than simply intensive gym sessions.

With ‘The Odyssey’ continuing its record-breaking theatrical run since its July 17 release, these kinds of behind-the-scenes details about the film’s commitment to practical filmmaking keep adding to its reputation as a genuine showcase for old school craft. Given how much attention Damon’s physique has already received, this moment of him deliberately redirecting credit toward his stunt double stands out as a particularly gracious touch.

What do you think about Matt Damon giving credit to his stunt double for those iconic giant battle shots? Let us know in the comments.