Matt Damon’s muscular arms featured in The Odyssey have been making headlines recently, but not for the reason one might expect. In a recent interview with Happy Sad Confused host Josh Horowitz, Damon received praise for his impressive biceps, being likened to those seen in Hemsworth films. Damon, however, revealed that in a crucial scene in the action-fantasy epic directed by Christopher Nolan, the powerful arms on display actually belonged to his Canadian female stunt double, Devyn Dalton.
During a now-viral clip, Damon explained that during scenes involving the Laestrygonians, giant warriors in the film, he had stuntmen who were both seven feet tall and under five feet tall. In these instances, Dalton, a four-foot-six stunt performer, stood in as Damon’s double, impressing him with her remarkable arm strength. Dalton, who hails from Vancouver, B.C., expressed her surprise and gratitude upon hearing Damon’s compliments, emphasizing the importance of shedding light on women working as stunt doubles for male actors.
Reflecting on his encounter with Dalton during filming, Damon recalled meeting her in the catering tent and acknowledging her hard work. Despite viewers mostly seeing Damon’s arms in the movie, he commended Dalton for her significant contribution.
Dalton, known for her work in various productions like Once Upon a Time and Percy Jackson and the Olympians, appreciated the recognition and reciprocated the praise on social media, describing it as an honor to double for Matt Damon. She shared a video on Instagram showcasing behind-the-scenes moments from The Odyssey in the Scottish Highlands, expressing gratitude for being part of the adventure.
Dalton highlighted the importance of celebrating strong female figures in an industry where women are underrepresented and face body image pressures. She mentioned receiving overwhelming support, especially from young women and girls, following the clip’s viral success, emphasizing the impact of inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
While Dalton lent her arms to certain scenes, Damon underwent a significant physical transformation for the role, returning to his high school weight as part of his preparation. The Bourne Identity star emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle change and intense physical training to achieve peak fitness levels.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey is a modern adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, following the journey of Greek hero Odysseus, played by Damon, as he navigates the challenges of returning home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The star-studded cast includes Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, and other prominent actors.