Matt Damon broke 'non-negotiable' family rule for the first time ever filming The Odyssey
Odysseus spent 20 years away from his family, and it appears Matt Damon felt his character's pain during filming of The Odyssey.
Shot on location in the Mediterranean rather than on a Hollywood sound stage, Matt Damon had to spend long periods of time away from his family while The Odyssey was filmed.
So much so that he had to break a long-standing family rule which states they must see one another every two weeks at the absolute least.
Damon was asked if The Odyssey was more special to him than his other films while being interviewed on Today.
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"It just took more," the 55-year-old replied. "It took more out of our family.
"We have always had a two-week rule. This is the first time we've ever had to violate it.
"There were stretches of three and a half weeks, and we were just away from each other."
Damon explained he felt the movie was a culmination of his acting career, and appreciated his family's support during the gruelling process.
He continued: "It was a big sacrifice for them, and it was hard on us. I'm so proud of the movie, but I'm so proud of them for really encouraging me.
"They knew what it... I feel like my whole professional life built up to this experience, and they were really onboard with me doing it. I love them for that."
Damon is father to Alexia, 27, Isabella, 20, Gia, 17, and Stella, 15, sharing the latter three with his wife Luciana after they married in 2005 when Alexia was already four.
The sacrifice was certainly worth it as Damon has firmly placed himself in the running for his first acting Oscar after being nominated three times without success.
Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster has released to critical and fan acclaim, with the retelling of Homer's Greek mythology epic already smashing box office records.
The Odyssey is one of humankind's most enduring stories, so it's no surprise it still resonates thousands of years later, but viewers have also been left amazed at the real-life sets and practical effects that were used during the filming.
The actors had to row authentic ancient long boats in the choppy seas - with cameras capturing two dolphins leaping from the waves by complete chance - the giant Cyclops was a real contraption rather than CGI and the towering Laestrygonians were filmed using forced perspectives and a massive size differences between actors, among many others.
It's no wonder the film reportedly had a budget of $250m, which it has already earned back in just its opening weekend.
Matt Damon's family have another rule
The two-week rule isn't the only 'non-negotiable' Damon's family swear by, as they always have tea together, too.
"We have family dinner every night, and that’s non-negotiable, and it’s always been that way,' he told People.
“One of my daughters said, ‘Well, family dinner, last night we didn’t talk.’ And we realised, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re right.’ We sat down for dinner, and you can get lost in that routine a little bit and not appreciate why you established the routine in the first place.
"That’s the kind of family mindfulness we’re all working on."
The Odyssey is available to watch in cinemas now.
Topics: Matt Damon, Film, Entertainment
Daniel Murphy