Matt Damon called Ben Affleck before wife after landing ‘The Odyssey’

Actor revealed missed phone call changed order of celebrations after Christopher Nolan offered career defining role

Matt Damon has revealed that Ben Affleck became the first person to learn he had been cast as Odysseus in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, after an unsuccessful attempt to reach his wife, Luciana Barroso, immediately following the life changing phone call.

The Oscar winner shared the story during an appearance on 100 Questions With Tom Simons, where he was joined by his The Odyssey co star Tom Holland. Damon explained that his instinct was to call Barroso first after receiving confirmation that he had secured the lead role in Nolan's ambitious adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic.

However, circumstances quickly altered those plans.

According to Damon, Barroso was participating in a Zoom meeting and could not answer her phone. Rather than waiting, he called his longtime friend and creative partner Ben Affleck, who immediately celebrated the news with him.

"I immediately called my wife who was on a Zoom, and so she couldn't pick up, and I called Ben Affleck," Damon recalled. He added that Affleck "freaked out" after hearing he would be playing Odysseus in Christopher Nolan's latest film.

The conversation lasted for around 30 minutes before Damon finally ended the call. Shortly afterwards, Barroso sent him a message asking why she had not been the first to hear the news. Damon explained that Affleck had already spoken to her about the casting before he managed to reach her himself.

 

 

 

 

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The anecdote offers another glimpse into the decades long friendship between Damon and Affleck, whose personal and professional relationship stretches back to their childhood in Massachusetts. The pair rose to international prominence after writing and starring in Good Will Hunting, earning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Since then, they have remained frequent collaborators while maintaining one of Hollywood's best known friendships.

Their partnership has expanded in recent years through Artist's Equity, the production company they co founded. Barroso also plays an important role within the company, serving as one of its partners while continuing to support Damon's projects behind the scenes.

Damon has repeatedly acknowledged his wife's influence on his career, explaining that she reviews scripts, watches early edits of his films and provides honest creative feedback before projects are completed.

Speaking previously about their working relationship, Damon said Barroso has been involved in his creative process throughout their marriage. He noted that she reads everything he is considering, watches cuts of his films and has provided trusted notes for more than two decades.

The couple married in 2005 and share three daughters together, while Damon is also stepfather to Barroso's eldest daughter, Alexia. Throughout his career, Damon has often credited his family with providing stability while balancing the demands of major film productions.

The Odyssey has already become one of 2026's biggest cinematic successes following its July 17 release. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film stars Damon as Odysseus alongside Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Jon Bernthal, Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Corey Hawkins, Samantha Morton, Benny Safdie and Travis Scott.

Although Damon intended for Barroso to be the first person to hear his exciting career news, one missed phone call resulted in Affleck enjoying that honour instead.