Ben Affleck jokes that Matt Damon will be his excuse to watch the filmmaking behind The Odyssey. An adaptation of the Homer epic of the same name, Christopher Nolan’s next film is currently set for release in 2026. The movie will see Matt Damon play the leading hero, Odysseus, as he goes on an epic journey through the sea and more. In addition to Damon, the film features Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, John Leguizamo, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, and Mia Goth.

Speaking with GQ, Affleck stated his plan for getting to watch Nolan direct The Odyssey. The director-actor first talked about how much he admires Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese for their work, calling the former “one of the great filmmaking architects to ever live.” He felt similarly about Nolan, saying that he is considering visiting Damon on the set of The Odyssey “just to watch Nolan direct.” Check out the full quote below:

I would’ve taken Saving Private Ryan. If Martin Scorsese called me and told me to play a waiter, I would take it. Steven Spielberg is one of the great filmmaking architects to ever live. I feel that way about Chris Nolan. I may go visit Matt on the set just to watch Nolan direct. I’m not even kidding at all.

What This Means For Christopher Nolan And The Odyssey

Nolan’s Directing Has Received Other Praise

Affleck is not the only person to hold Nolan in such high regard. Leguizamo recently praised the director when talking about his work on the film. He said Nolan was “like an indie filmmaker, but with crazy money,” noting the director’s heavy involvement in his own projects and refusal to do “it by committee.” These bold statements, and Nolan’s impressive cinematic craft, likely led people like Affleck to think of the director in such high regard.

Affleck’s comparison of Nolan to filmmakers like Spielberg and Scorsese is notable, though not unfounded. Like his predecessors, Nolan has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and has produced a plethora of films that are both box office hits and critical darlings. Nolan even beat out both directors for Best Picture when he won for Oppenheimer, trumping fellow historical dramas Killers of the Flower Moon (directed and produced by Scorsese) and Maestro (produced by Spielberg). Even though he is decades younger than the other two greats, this track record situates Nolan as a powerhouse talent.

Our Take On Ben Affleck’s Nolan Statement

The Odyssey Cast Is Impressive

Affleck’s statement also reflects on a recent Nolan phenomenon that has been witnessed by other major directors, which is that his cast gets increasingly more impressive with each successive film. This is true of auteurs like Wes Anderson, who often see major actors willing to take on even small roles to work with him. The Odyssey has Nolan’s highest caliber cast yet, pulling stars that appeal to multiple generations. This justifies people like Affleck being blown away by Nolan, and wanting to see the mastery at work.

Source: GQ