Matt Damon and Christian Bale are among Hollywood’s A-listers who captivated our attention with their exceptional performances. While the former has showcased his talent beyond acting, Bale’s versatility and dedication are second to none. It was surely a moment when the duo collaborated to work in 2019’s Ford v Ferrari, which went on to garner critical acclaim.
While they hadn’t worked together before the 2019 project, they were acquainted with each other. Given that they have spent a great amount of time in unison, it was interesting for Damon to hear what his co-star had to say about him.
What Christian Bale Had to Say About Matt Damon
Ford v Ferrari (2019) revolves around the intense rivalry between Ford Motor Company and Ferrari in the 1960s. The plot focuses on Ford’s efforts to revamp its brand by entering the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Ford enlists Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon), a former race car driver turned automotive designer, to build a race car. Shelby, in turn, asks help from Ken Miles (Christian Bale) to help develop and drive the car.
As the duo remain close to each other throughout the film, they manage to get a better understanding of what traits the other one possesses. In an interview with GQ in 2019, Bale reflected on what he learned about the Saving Private Ryan star during filming.
The Batman Begins actor shared,
That he needs to direct. I definitely learnt that. I would hear Matt and Jim [Mangold, the director] having conversations that went right over my head.
That prompted his co-star to respond, “See, I read that as you saying, ‘He definitely shouldn’t act.’” The Thor: Love and Thunder star burst into laughter before clarifying that Damon has great helming chops, praising him for his exceptional talent.
No, I came to you really early on and said, ‘You’ve got to direct, man.’ And he’s got much better perception than I do.
Their off-screen chemistry is just spectacular as the Good Will Hunting co-writer added that he would be willing to direct a project but the American Psycho actor would have to star in it. However, Bale is not the only one who thinks highly about his co-star as the feelings are completely likewise.
Matt Damon Praised Christian Bale for ‘Monk-Like Discipline’
Damon, who has already showcased his potential as an actor, writer, and producer, didn’t shy away from praising his co-star. When he was asked to answer the same question about what he learned about Bale during filming, he low-key responded,
Well, I’d had spies telling me about Christian for years.
He recounted his conversation with Casey Affleck at one dinner who was blown away by Bale’s work. According to the Triple 9 star, what Bale did “was completely real and lived-in and I realised that I’m being too picky. I need to work more, cos I’ll be better if I can just work more.” Damon went on to praise the American Hustle actor stating,
Christian’s approach is the approach that young actors wish they had when they’re talking sh-t: a monk-like discipline in service of your work. That’s one of the rarest things, because it comes at a price. It is inspiring.
Both the actors genuinely appreciate each other’s craft, which is another quality of a great person, which they absolutely are.
Their collaborative passion for this project contributed to its success, with the movie garnering critical acclaim. Grossing $224 million worldwide via the Numbers, the movie received 4 Oscar nods, including one in the Best Picture category.
Ford v Ferrari is available on Apple TV.
