The Oppenheimer cast is undoubtedly star-studded with Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, and Cillian Murphy all in one place, it is surely going to be an exciting watch. But as it turns out that despite their extensive careers none of the actors were successful in making a lasting impression on Damon by their work, not even his best friend Ben Affleck.
In a classic fashion, during his promotion of the 2016 Jason Bourne film, Matt Damon encountered the inevitable question of who he believed to be the greatest actor he had ever collaborated with. Fans were taken aback when his answer turned out to be someone other than the expected choice of Ben Affleck, which left almost everyone surprised.
No Other Actor Could Impress Matt Damon Except for Him
During a discussion about his career on Reddit in 2016, Matt Damon was confronted with the question of sharing the name of the greatest actor, according to him, he had ever worked with. With an extensive list of notable collaborators, Damon made a surprising choice and chose Casey Affleck as his answer rather than answering the obvious choice which was his brother Ben Affleck.
He then continued to express his admiration for Affleck’s artistic growth, describing the experience of witnessing his evolution as truly remarkable. He said,
“That’s a really tough question because I’ve worked with so many really wonderful people, people who I admire a lot and become friends with. Choosing one would be really tough, but I have to say, going back in my career, Casey Affleck is one of the best actors that I’ve ever seen in my life. Growing up with him, he’s 5 years younger than me, he’s kind of like a little brother to me, but watching his work develop over the years has been really fun.”
While reflecting on his career, Matt Damon found it challenging to pick just one, and understandably so, but when he ultimately, claimed Casey Affleck as one of the finest actors he has ever witnessed, he also elaborated exactly why he thinks so. Looking back on their shared personal experiences, Damon expressed his belief that Affleck stands among the best performers he has encountered in his lifetime, and was grateful to have worked with him.
What Made Matt Damon Fall in Love With Casey Affleck’s Work?
Damon specifically pointed to Casey Affleck’s poignant performance in Manchester by the Sea as he hailed it as Affleck’s finest work. He highlighted the exceptional nature of Affleck’s performance, particularly in capturing the raw essence of a depressed character navigating the relentless slippery slope of grief. His ability to handle such a demanding emotional landscape in the film solidified his position as one of Matt Damon’s greatest co-stars. He elaborated in that same Reddit AMA session,
“There’s a movie that I produced that’s coming out called Manchester by the Sea. I’m as proud of that as anything I’ve ever been a part of. Casey is the lead in that movie, Kenny Lonergan directed it, and Casey is absolutely brilliant in that movie. I’m really proud to see what the world thinks of this movie, it’s a beautiful little movie.”
Now that the two have reunited again in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, fans are bracing themselves to witness the magic that is going to take place on screen. The world is already excited about the much-anticipated film, and the off-screen dynamic of the two actors further adds an extra layer of intrigue for the audience.
Oppenheimer hits theaters on the 21st of July.
Also Read: “The ‘f-slur for a homosexual’”: Matt Damon’s Homophobic Confession Left Jason Bourne Fans Pissed
Source: Reddit
