Hollywood actor Matt Damon has undergone a remarkable body transformation, shedding weight to match his high school physique for his upcoming film, “The Odyssey.”
The 55-year-old star has reached a weight of 75 kg by eliminating gluten from his diet and engaging in rigorous training to embody Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, in Christopher Nolan’s latest action-fantasy film, as reported by Female First UK.
Intense Training and Dietary Changes
In a candid discussion about his fitness journey on the New Heights podcast with NFL stars Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce, Damon shared, “I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. (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 between 185 and 200, and I did that whole movie at 167. And I haven’t been that light since high school. So it was a lot of training and a really strict diet.”
Damon likened working with trainers to preparing for a professional sport, emphasizing the importance of routine and dedication in achieving physical goals. He remarked, “I can imagine what that feels like for you guys, where you’re preparing. It’s just part of your day, it’s part of your job, and you get really routinised about it and kinda build your day around all that stuff. That’s, kind of, the physical side of getting ready.”
Gluten-Free Decision
Since deciding to eliminate gluten, Damon has completely committed to a gluten-free lifestyle. He stated, “I’m done. I’m gluten-free everything. I found a gluten-free beer. It’s been so long since I’ve had gluten, I can’t tell if it’s good or not. So that’s a good sign.”
In addition to his weight loss, Damon also had to grow a beard for “The Odyssey,” which depicts Odysseus’s arduous journey home after the fall of Troy. Throughout his quest, he faces monsters, gods, and personal consequences.
This drastic change in appearance was a directive from Nolan, who prefers not to use “wigs and fake beards” on set.