Matt Damon On ‘The Odyssey’ Weight Loss Transformation
It’s 2026, which means we’re getting closer and closer to the release of The OdysseyChristopher Nolan’s massive cinematic adaptation of Homer’s classic tale.
If the premise wasn’t already exciting enough, the film — which is due out July 17, mark your calendars — has perhaps the most A-list cast you can think of: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, and Lupita Nyong’o, to name a few.
Throughout filming in 2025, details of the film adaptation were shrouded in mystery. But one thing that wasn’t kept a secret was Matt’s physical transformation.
Yes, we all remember where we were when those Photos from a shirtless shoot of Matt with Zendaya were posted online last March. Unfortunately we cannot include the photos, but you can see them here. For context, Matt plays the role of Odysseus and Z plays the Greek goddess Athena.
Matt’s ripped physique has been the talk of the town for months – even his best friend, Ben Affleck, had something to say about it, telling Entertainment tonight: “I have to respect that, it’s a lot of hard work…but he’s doing it.”
As we mentioned, there has been a lot of secrecy around The Odysseybut with the release date fast approaching, Matt has opened up about his physical transformation for the major role.
Appearing on the January 7 episode of Jason and Travis Kelce New heights podcast, the 55-year-old received compliments from the hosts, who said they saw photos of him looking “pretty hitched” during filming.
“Yes, I was really in good shape,” he replied. “I lost a lot of weight. [Christopher Nolan, the director] He said he wanted me thin but strong. It’s a weird thing.
Giving an insight into his weight loss, Matt said he stopped eating gluten on the advice of his doctor. He combined this with “a lot of training and a very strict diet”, and ended up weighing less than he had since he was a teenager.
“I was walking around 185 to 200 pounds. And I did this whole movie at 167 pounds,” he revealed. “I haven’t been this light since high school.”
Comparing the journey to Travis and Jason’s experiences as NFL athletes, Matt said it’s just “part of your job.” “It almost feels like a season, I guess, what it means to you guys where you’re preparing,” he said. “It’s just part of your day…It’s like you become really routine and you kind of build your day around it all. It’s kind of the physical aspect of preparation.”
And when it comes to the current state of her diet, it seems the gluten-free lifestyle has stuck around. “I’m done. I’m completely gluten-free,” he said. “I found a gluten-free beer. It’s been so long since I’ve had gluten, I can’t say if it’s good or not. So that’s a good sign.”
