Charlize Theron has praised the physical transformation of her The Odyssey co-star Matt Damon, saying the actor looked “incredible” after undergoing an intensive fitness regimen for Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s Greek epic.
Theron, who plays the nymph goddess Calypso opposite Damon as Odysseus, said she was struck by the actor’s appearance while promoting the film in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.
“I’ve seen him without all of that suit on. He’s incredible. Incredible,” Theron said. “I’m like staring at him weirdly. I’m looking at his a** right now. I shouldn’t do that! That’s just wrong. He looked amazing, yes.”
Damon, 55, has previously spoken about the physical preparation required to portray the legendary Greek king, saying it involved a complete change in lifestyle rather than simply losing weight.
“It was more about just getting really, really physically fit, which just really involves changing your diet, just a whole lifestyle change,” Damon told People magazine. “You have to just be very, very intentional about everything you’re putting in your body.”
People reported that Damon reduced his weight from about 200 pounds (91 kg) to 167 pounds (76 kg) for the role.
Based on Homer’s ancient poem, The Odyssey follows Odysseus’ long journey home after the Trojan War. Theron portrays Calypso, the immortal nymph who detains the hero on her island for seven years before allowing him to continue his voyage to reunite with his wife, Penelope.
The film opened at the top of the North American box office over the weekend, grossing an estimated $124.5 million. It has also received strong reviews, earning a 95% critics’ score and a 97% audience score on review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes.
Theron also praised Nolan’s casting of the ensemble.
“It’s fantastic. Everybody in this movie is quite incredible,” she said. “And I think it’s a strength of Christopher Nolan. He knows how to cast a film.”
The cast also includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya and Samantha Morton.
The Odyssey reunites Theron and Damon on screen for the first time since the 2000 film The Legend of Bagger Vance, directed by Robert Redford, in which they also played romantic leads.
