Full Breakdown
Matt Damon Credits Female Stunt Double for Iconic “Laestrygonian” Scene in *The Odyssey*
7/21/2026, 10:28:54 PM
Core Event
During a recent interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Matt Damon disclosed that a female stunt performer stood in for him in the forced-perspective sequence featuring the giant Laestrygonians. Damon explained that the stunt double’s arms are visible in the shots where the giants loom over Odysseus, and he personally thanked her on set.
Background & Context
*The Odyssey*—Christopher Nolan’s 2026 adaptation of Homer’s epic—relies heavily on practical effects to portray the towering Laestrygonian warriors. The production employed stunt performers of varying heights to create forced-perspective illusion: some standing seven feet tall, others under five feet. This technique allowed the filmmakers to depict the giants as massive without extensive CGI.
Key Figures
- Matt Damon – Oscar-winning actor portraying Odysseus.
- Devyn Dalton – Female stunt performer who doubled Damon for the Laestrygonian sequence; credited with “the greatest arms” in the scene.
- Christopher Nolan – Writer, producer, and director of *The Odyssey*.
- Josh Horowitz – Host of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast who prompted Damon’s comments.
Production Technique
Damon described the set-up: “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” (see Quote 5). The short-stature stunt performers, including Dalton, were positioned closer to the camera, while taller actors were placed farther away, creating the illusion of colossal size. In the final cut, Dalton’s arms appear in the foreground of the giant-versus-Odysseus shots.
Damon’s Physical Preparation
Beyond the stunt work, Damon undertook a rigorous transformation to portray a lean yet powerful Odysseus. He reduced his weight from a typical 185–200 lb range to 167 lb, matching his high-school weight, and eliminated gluten under medical guidance. He emphasized that the change was “not in an unhealthy way” (see Quote 4) and involved a “complete lifestyle change” (see Quote 3).
Box-Office Impact
The film opened on July 17, 2026 to strong critical reception and commercial success. Opening-weekend earnings reached $124 million in the United States and $264 million worldwide, marking Nolan’s biggest global debut.
Official Statements & Responses
- Nolan’s production team highlighted the practical effects as a core element of the film’s visual storytelling.
- Devyn Dalton confirmed her role as the stunt double for the Laestrygonian sequence in a social-media post, expressing honor at the acknowledgment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Matt Damon
- “There are those shots where you see these giants looming over me [and that’s her],” — Matt Damon
- “I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight,” — Matt Damon
- “It was more about just getting really, really physically fit, which just really involves changing your diet, just a whole lifestyle change,” — Matt Damon
- “I didn’t change it in an unhealthy way,” — Matt Damon
These statements capture Damon’s reflections on the stunt work, his physical regimen, and his gratitude toward the stunt performer who helped bring the iconic scene to life.
