Ben Affleck And Matt Damon Are Still Doing Stunts In Their 50s, And I Appreciate Just How Honest The Accountant 2 Star Is About It

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Many actors opt for performing their own daring feats when given the chance. Tom Cruise has established his recent acting legacy by persistently executing his own stunts even at the age of 62, going as far as dismissing insurance companies that refuse to accommodate him. Nonetheless, not all performers are equally keen on risking their physical wellbeing. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon continue to participate in their own dangerous acts, but Affleck acknowledges there’s a boundary, and it becomes increasingly challenging.

Towards the end of this month, Ben Affleck will feature in the long-awaited sequel “The Accountant 2“. In a recent chat with GQ alongside his regular partner Matt Damon, the 52-year-old actor discussed his involvement in performing stunts for that movie. It appears that Affleck was quite hands-on, yet he didn’t shy away from allowing a professional stuntman to take over when needed. Reflecting on his approach to action scenes early in his career, Affleck mentioned that his perspective has evolved over time.

Absolutely, I’ve shifted my stance quite a bit. Initially, I was all for performing the action sequences and stunts myself. But now, I find myself wondering when the stunt doubles will take over. Partly because they excel in this area, making the performances look impressive, and partly because it saves me from getting hurt and exhausted. Recently, I’ve been discussing this with Matt as he prepares for a Chris Nolan film that involves extensive stunt rehearsals. It brought back memories of when I had to learn the fights extensively, like in The Bourne Identity.

Matt Damon is spearheading the cast for Christopher Nolan’s version of The Odyssey, and it appears he’s fully committed to mastering the stunts himself. The benefit of actors performing their own stunts is undeniable, as it allows for greater creative control during filming, since there’s no need to conceal the involvement of a stunt double.

Simultaneously, certain performers prefer not to perform their own dangerous feats. Sylvester Stallone admits he endures persistent physical issues from executing some of his own stunts. Danny Trejo highlights that an accident involving a star in a film could lead to others losing employment opportunities. There are indeed valid justifications for actors choosing not to perform their own stunts.

In the past, Matt Damon was known for performing his own stunts, even discussing the art with Tom Cruise to pick up tips from the Mission: Impossible star on how he manages to execute them. Although Damon might attempt self-performance in The Odyssey, it’s been a while since he made an action-focused movie, so it seems like there’s a significant learning challenge ahead.

In essence, it’s important to remember that not every person can perform high-risk stunts like Tom Cruise, and it’s understandable if an actor prefers not to do so themselves. As Affleck points out, these stunts can lead to injuries, and as we age, our bodies require more time to heal from such impacts.

I fully support actors choosing to perform their own stunts if they prefer, but I equally respect their decision to step back from such actions if they feel uneasy for any reason. These skilled individuals contribute significantly to our entertainment; there’s no issue with allowing them to make choices that prioritize their comfort and safety.

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2025-04-02 22:07