- Matt Damon has revealed that longtime friend Ben Affleck was the first person he spoke to after learning he had landed the lead role of Odysseus in Christopher Nolan's *The Odyssey*, even before his wife, Luciana Barroso.
- Damon initially tried to call Barroso to share the news but was unable to reach her.
- Damon revealed, “So, I immediately called my wife who was on a Zoom, and so she couldn’t pick up and I called Ben Affleck.”
- Affleck was thrilled by the casting announcement, with Damon sharing, “He freaked out.”
- Damon spent about 30 minutes on the phone with Affleck before receiving a text message from Barroso shortly afterward.
- After hanging up, Barroso texted Damon, asking, ‘Why didn’t you tell me first?’
- Damon explained that Affleck had run into Barroso's office to tell her the news.
Matt Damon shared that he informed Ben Affleck about his lead role in Christopher Nolan's *The Odyssey* before telling his wife, Luciana Barroso. During a joint appearance with co-star Tom Holland on *100 Questions With Tom Simons*, Damon recounted the moment he learned of his casting.14
Damon initially attempted to call Barroso to share the exciting news but was unable to reach her due to a Zoom meeting. He explained, “So, I immediately called my wife who was on a Zoom, and so she couldn’t pick up and I called Ben Affleck,” revealing that Affleck was the first to know.
Affleck's reaction was one of excitement; Damon noted, “He freaked out,” and they spent about 30 minutes discussing the role. Shortly after their call, Damon received a text from Barroso asking, “Why didn’t you tell me first?” This prompted Damon to explain that Affleck had rushed to inform her immediately after their conversation.5
In contrast, Holland, who plays Telemachus in the film, managed to tell his wife, Zendaya, first after securing his role, highlighting the different experiences of the two actors in sharing their casting news.
“Damon said he spent 30 minutes on the phone with Affleck, who 'freaked out' at the news. He then received a text from his wife asking why he didn't tell her first, as Affleck had already run into her office to share the news.”
