First Picture of Matt Damon in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey"

That was quicker than expected: although Christopher Nolan's epic "The Odyssey" won't be released in cinemas until next year, a first image of actor Matt Damon has already been published.

Damon can be seen in a striking suit of armor. In keeping with this, Universal Pictures announced that he will be playing the lead role of Odysseus.

"The Odyssey" is one of the oldest literary works in the world and tells the story of the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus on his dangerous journey home after the Trojan War. Among other things, he encounters a Cyclops, seductive sirens and a six-headed sea monster. Universal Studios describes the project as a "mythical action epic".

As with every Nolan film, we can expect a great cast in "The Odyssey": "Spider-Man" star Tom Holland, his girlfriend Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, "The Punisher" actor Jon Bernthal and Lupita Nyong'o, to name but a few. The blockbuster will be released on July 17, 2026. We can hardly wait!

The Most Famous Movies of Matt Damon

Matt Damon is one of Hollywood's best-known and most successful actors. With a career spanning decades, he has starred in numerous cult films and established himself as a versatile actor. Below we take a look at some of his best-known films that have achieved both commercial and critical success.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Matt Damon's big breakthrough came with "Good Will Hunting". Together with his friend Ben Affleck, he wrote the screenplay and took on the leading role of the highly talented but rebellious mathematical genius Will Hunting. The film was not only a box office hit, but also won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Damon's profound portrayal of a young man struggling with his past and his fears made him an overnight star.

The Bourne Series (2002-2016)

Damon proved his talent as an action star with the role of Jason Bourne in the "Bourne" series. The series began in 2002 with "The Bourne Identity" and continued with "The Bourne Supremacy" (2004), "The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007), "Jason Bourne" (2016) and other sequels. The movies, based on the novels by Robert Ludlum, revolutionized the espionage genre and impressed with intense action sequences, a gripping story and Damon's convincing portrayal of the amnesia-stricken agent.

Ocean's Eleven (2001) and Sequels

Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Eleven" brought together a top-class cast, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. In the role of young conman Linus Caldwell, Damon fitted in perfectly with the ensemble. The film was so successful that two sequels followed: "Ocean's Twelve" (2004) and "Ocean's Thirteen" (2007). The mixture of clever heists, humor and style made the films classics of the heist genre.

The Martian (2015)

In "The Martian", Damon played the lead role of astronaut Mark Watney, who is stranded on Mars after a failed mission. The movie, directed by Ridley Scott, was based on the bestseller by Andy Weir and was a huge success. Damon received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance. The film impresses with a successful mix of humor, science and survival drama.

Interstellar (2014)

Although Damon only plays a supporting role in "Interstellar", he made a strong impression. In Christopher Nolan's science fiction epic, he embodies Dr. Mann, a stranded astronaut whose true intentions are only revealed as the plot unfolds. His character adds a dramatic twist to the story and shows a darker side of Damon as an actor.

Invictus (2009)

In "Invictus", Matt Damon played the South African rugby captain François Pienaar alongside Morgan Freeman. The film, directed by Clint Eastwood, tells the true story of the South African national rugby team, which won the 1995 World Cup under the patronage of Nelson Mandela. Damon received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.

The Departed (2006)

In Martin Scorsese's crime thriller "The Departed", Damon plays the corrupt police officer Colin Sullivan, who works as a mole for the Irish mafia. The film, which has a top-class cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg, was a huge success and won the Oscar for Best Picture. Damon's multi-layered performance made his role one of the most memorable of his career.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

In "Ford v Ferrari" Damon plays legendary car designer Carroll Shelby, who works with racing driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) to help Ford beat Ferrari in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. The film impresses with spectacular racing scenes, emotional depth and a gripping story about friendship and passion.

Conclusion

Matt Damon has proven himself to be an extremely versatile actor throughout his career. Whether in action films, dramas or science fiction works – his ability to embody believable and profound characters has made him one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. The movies mentioned above are just a selection from his impressive repertoire, but they impressively demonstrate why Damon has been one of the biggest names in the film industry for decades.