Matt Damon says that while filming Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, the mostly “middle-aged” cast ran into health problems tied to the production’s footwear and conditions. Damon, speaking during a SiriusXM appearance hosted by Andy Cohen, responds to questions about the action sequences being filmed in sandals. He says the sandals contributed to scuffed and injured feet because the actors often had to run on stone surfaces, including during scenes meant to evoke locations such as Troy. Damon adds that beyond minor cuts and scratches, the biggest issue for many cast members was back pain that developed during the weeks when action scenes were shot. He describes the intensity of the shoot, joking that it became a “heavy Advil” period for dealing with pain.
Damon also references broader challenges during production, including difficult logistics and weather. He recalls a pattern of the cast and crew joking that some locations would be easier, only for conditions to prove harsh. He further notes that even late in production, the set included weather-like effects such as water and wind, reinforcing that the shoot’s controlled environments could still feel cold and difficult.
