Credit: Instagram @devyn.dalton/ Universal Pictures
Matt Damon Reveals Why He Had A Female Stunt Double For The Odyssey
As The Odyssey dominates the box office this week, one comment Matt Damon has made about his stunt double has left fans shocked.
Damon, who plays Odysseus in the new Christopher Nolan blockbuster, has revealed that he had a female stunt double for the movie.
He has also opened up about why they chose the female double, and the real reason has left fans shocked.
The movie is receiving rave reviews from fans and critics, but it has not gone without its share of controversy.
The criticism surrounding The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey has faced months of online criticism despite still being one of the year’s most anticipated films.
Much of the backlash has centred on the casting of Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy. Some critics argue the decision strays too far from their interpretation of the character from Greek mythology.
Greek mythology portrays Helen of Troy as the woman whose extraordinary beauty sparked the Trojan War.
People often call her the woman who ‘launched a thousand ships.’
Some critics claimed Nolan’s casting ignored historical and literary descriptions of the mythical figure.
However, supporters argued that The Odyssey is a work of mythology rather than historical fact and that Nyong’o’s talent is far more important than racial accuracy.
Elon Musk became one of the most high-profile voices in the debate, criticising the casting by writing: “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.”
In later posts, Musk claimed the director had ‘desecrated’ Homer’s epic and suggested Nyong’o had been cast because Nolan ‘wants the awards.’
Conservative commentators added to this, accusing the film of prioritising diversity over faithfulness to the source material.
Others dismissed those complaints as a culture war manufactured around a fictional story featuring gods, monsters and mythical creatures.
Speaking to Elle, Nyong’o responded: “I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling. Our cast is representative of the world.”
She added: “I’m not spending my time thinking of a defence. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”
Nyong’o also said: “It’s quite something to be a part of The Odyssey, because it is so grand. It spans worlds. So that’s why the cast is what it is. We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time.”
The debate has continued in the months leading up to the film’s release, making Nolan’s adaptation one of the most hotly discussed blockbusters of the year.
What is The Odyssey?
The Odyssey follows the long and dangerous journey of the Greek hero Odysseus as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War.
Written by the ancient poet Homer around the 8th century BC, the epic poem is one of the most influential stories ever.
Although the war has ended, Odysseus spends another 10 years trying to reach his kingdom of Ithaca.
Angry gods, terrifying monsters, and impossible temptations repeatedly stand in the way of his journey home.
Along the way, he blinds the Cyclops Polyphemus, escapes the enchantress Circe, resists the deadly song of the Sirens, sails between the sea monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis, and becomes trapped on the island of the nymph Calypso.
Back in Ithaca, Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, struggles to fend off dozens of suitors who believe her husband is dead and want to seize the throne.
Their son, Telemachus, begins searching for news of his missing father while trying to protect his family’s legacy.
With help from the goddess Athena, Odysseus finally returns home disguised as a beggar to assess the situation.
After revealing his true identity to a handful of loyal allies, he confronts the suitors in a brutal battle.
At its heart, The Odyssey is a story about perseverance, loyalty, and the desire to return home.
Matt Damon’s female stunt double for The Odyssey
Matt Damon plays the title role of Odysseus, who spends most of the film journeying home to his family.
However, not every time you see Odysseus on screen is Matt Damon.
In a new interview, he has now revealed why his female stunt double appeared in one scene.
The filmmakers used the female stunt double to make the giant Laestrygonians look more imposing next to his character.
The stunt double has now been identified as 35-year-old Devyn Dalton.
“When we did the force perspective stuff with the Laestrygonians… there were these stuntmen who were all seven feet, and then they got stunt men who were under five feet,” Damon said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
“My double was a woman, a female stunt performer who had the greatest arms I’ve ever seen.”
He added: “When she came into the catering tent, it was the first time I met her. I went up and hugged her and thanked her for all the work she put in.”
Devyn even appears in one of the posters for the movie.
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