hollywood actor Matt Damon may be one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, but when he was asked about the Indian filmmaker he always wanted to work with, his answer was a surprise. While many international actors have expressed their admiration for SS Rajamouli after the global success of RRR, Matt instead chose to revisit the opportunity he lost more than two decades ago.
The actor is currently in Mumbai for the Indian premiere with Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland and producer Emma Thomas odyssey. Ahead of the film’s red carpet premiere on Saturday, the team addressed the media at a press conference earlier in the day, where Damon reflected on his long-standing regrets from his career. He revealed that turning down Shekhar Kapur’s film due to scheduling conflicts is something he has never recovered from, adding that he still hopes to work with the acclaimed filmmaker someday.
a collaboration that never happened
When Matt Damon was asked which Indian filmmaker he would love to work with, he had a ready answer. Instead of picking a contemporary name, the actor talked about veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and a project that went out of his hands more than two decades ago. “Oh my God, I mean, yes, the filmmaker everyone wanted to collaborate with was Shekhar Kapur,” he revealed.
Matt then talks about almost starring in Shekhar Kapur’s 2002 film The Four Feathers, a collaboration that never happened due to schedule clashes. Looking back, he admits that it is still one of those business opportunities that he wishes had worked out. He confessed, “I remember when I couldn’t do The Four Feathers for some reason and I was really upset about it.”
Explaining why he had to leave the film, he said, “I think I was signed for the Bourne movie.” The missed opportunity has clearly stuck with him over the years. “So I think that’s always been on my list, and so I’d like to give it another try. It’s like a 20-year-old little debt that I’m carrying around in my pocket,” he said.
The film that went ahead without him
Shekhar Kapur’s The Four Feathers hit the theaters in 2002. Based on AEW Mason’s novel of the same name, the period drama stars the late Heath Ledger as Harry Feversham, a British officer who deserts his regiment before leaving for Sudan. His decision causes his friends and fiancé to label him a coward, forcing him to secretly return to Sudan on a dangerous mission to regain his honor.
Along with Heath Ledger, the film stars Kate Hudson, Wes Bentley and Djimon Hounsou in important roles. The film also shared a memorable association with India. To celebrate its release, Heath Ledger, Kate Hudson and Wes Bentley came to Mumbai for the premiere with director Shekhar Kapur. By then, Kapoor had made a name for herself internationally with acclaimed films such as Elizabeth and Bandit Queen, earning recognition as one of the first Indian filmmakers to have a successful career in Hollywood, while continuing to be respected at home.
Speaking about playing the lead role in The Odyssey
Matt Damon plays Odysseus, the famous Greek hero and king of Ithaca in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey. The film follows Odysseus’ arduous ten-year journey after the Trojan War, as he battles mythical creatures, survives impossible odds and fights to reunite with his family.
Reflecting on stepping into the role, Matt said the experience was different from anything he had done before. He also praised Nolan’s practical approach to filmmaking and the dedication of the cast and crew who came together from around the world to bring the ambitious project to life. “He’s such a fascinating, complex character, but to do it on this scale, in this way, with Chris, you know, everything practical, everything in camera, it felt like my one chance to make a David Lean film, and I and I always wanted to do that, and I felt so grateful the moment they called me. I knew what it was,” he said in Mumbai.
He continued to explain the enormous effort that went into making the film. The actor continued, “I mean, I had a sense of what the outcome was going to be, and that it required a lot of work by thousands of people. But you knew you were among the kindred spirits. Every single person there wanted to be there and nowhere else.”
Matt also talked about working with crews in different countries and said that each team brought extraordinary talent and commitment. He explained, “And we gathered crew members in every country we went to, and you know, and you knew you were dealing with the elite of that country, who were coming on board for that section to get that set piece, and then you would go on and and you would choose, you know, new members, and you know, in Greece, in Italy, in Iceland, in Morocco.”
Summarizing the experience, the actor said that the role required everything he had learned during his career. “It was the most extraordinary group of people who were all there for the same reason. To meet this moment required every kind of tool in the toolkit that I’ve been developing and refining for my life, and I got a chance to meet the most extraordinary group of people,” he concluded.
about odyssey
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey is an epic fantasy adventure film inspired by Homer’s timeless Greek poem. The film follows King Odysseus (Matt Damon), who battles monsters, mythical creatures, and countless dangers during his decade-long journey to Ithaca after the Trojan War. However, at its core, the story is also about his enduring love for his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway), who waits for him against all odds.
Tom Holland plays Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, while the film stars a star-studded cast including Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron and Samantha Morton.
Odyssey is set to release in theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026. It will be released in multiple formats, including IMAX 2D and 4DX. This film has been approved in India The Central Board of Film Certification awarded it an ‘A’ (adults only) certificate, although without any cuts.