Matt Damon’s muscular arms in his role in “The Odyssey” have recently gained attention, but not for the reason you might expect. In a recent interview with host Josh Horowitz on “Happy Sad Confused,” Damon was commended for his impressive biceps, with Horowitz comparing them to those seen in a Hemsworth film. However, Damon revealed that in a crucial scene in Christopher Nolan’s action-fantasy film, his stunt double, Canadian woman Devyn Dalton, had the remarkable arms that caught everyone’s eye.
During forced perspective shots featuring the Laestrygonians, towering giant warriors in the movie, Damon clarified that the stunt performers ranged from seven feet tall to under five feet tall. Consequently, his double, Dalton, who stands at four-foot-six, left Damon in awe with her incredible arm strength. Dalton, a versatile performer with credits in acting, voice-over work, performance capture, and dance, expressed her excitement at Damon’s acknowledgment, highlighting the importance of recognizing women who double for male actors in the industry.
Damon, who plays Odysseus in the film, recalled meeting Dalton on set and appreciating her hard work. He emphasized that while his arms were predominantly featured in the movie, credit should be given where it’s due. Dalton, in response to the recognition, shared her gratitude for being part of the film and praised Damon for his involvement in the adventure.
In an industry where female representation remains a challenge and body image expectations persist, Dalton sees the acknowledgment as significant. She values celebrating strong women and embracing her athletic physique as crucial in inspiring others. Following the viral clip, Dalton has received overwhelming support, particularly from young women and girls, which deeply moves her as she hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams.
While Dalton contributed her arm strength to a scene, Damon also dedicated himself to the role by returning to his high school weight of 167 pounds for authenticity. He emphasized the healthy lifestyle changes he made to achieve physical fitness, as highlighted in a recent People magazine cover story. “The Odyssey,” based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic, narrates Odysseus’s (Damon) arduous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The star-studded cast includes Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and other renowned actors, making it a highly anticipated film.