Matt Damon on Teaming With Casey Affleck for ‘The Instigators’: “43 Years Into This Friendship, It’s Just the Joy of Doing What We Love”

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As a die-hard fan of Matt Damon and all things Affleck, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of “The Instigators”. Having grown up with these talented actors through their roles in movies like “Good Will Hunting”, it’s heartwarming to see them continue their friendship on and off screen. The chemistry between Matt and Casey is palpable, and I can’t help but feel like I’m watching old friends pulling off a heist.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been a long-standing popular duo in Hollywood, but now it’s Matt Damon who will be sharing the spotlight with another Affleck family member. In the upcoming Apple heist comedy film titled “The Instigators“, Matt Damon and Casey Affleck take on leading roles. Set in their hometown of Massachusetts, they portray a pair of bumbling robbers directed by Doug Liman.

On Wednesday, Damon and Ben Affleck, the younger one, graced the red carpet at the New York premiere of their recently teamed project. They were joined by director Liman, as well as cast members like Hong Chau and Jack Harlow.

Damon, much like Casey and Ben Affleck, spent his formative years in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They all had their moments together on the silver screen, notably in the critically acclaimed film ‘Good Will Hunting’, which won an Oscar over two decades back. Now, with a wealth of experience under his belt and a treasure trove of shared memories with the Afflecks, Damon took a moment to reminisce about the most enjoyable aspect of working with these brothers at this juncture in their careers.

“Damon expressed to The Hollywood Reporter that after 43 years of friendship, there’s simply nothing better than sharing the joy of pursuing shared passions. He feels incredibly fortunate to continue creating films at this level with such talented individuals. However, when some of these people are also his lifelong friends, it makes the experience all the more unique and precious.”

Without a doubt, the connection between them is palpable both on camera and off set; Liman stated that he hadn’t witnessed such chemistry since directing Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in his 2005 action-comedy film, Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Damon is close with both Affleck brothers, but is better known for his friendship with Ben, with some of their collaborations including Air, The Last Duel and, of course, Good Will Hunting. Ben Affleck was also involved in The Instigators, producing alongside Damon through their Artists Equity production company. Liman addressed the question of whether the elder Affleck was ever in consideration to act in the film, suggesting that he intentionally stayed offscreen to let his brother take the spotlight.

He explained to THR, “I feel like I’ve just arrived at a family Thanksgiving gathering and am learning the family dynamics. It seemed to me that Casey has always been somewhat overshadowed by Ben, and ‘The Instigators’ provided an opportunity for Casey to truly stand out without anyone else casting a shadow. I believe it was evident how much Ben cares for and encourages his brother, and part of this was ensuring that Casey could shine brightly without any interference from him.”

Apart from sharing the limelight with Damon on the silver screen (a shift from their shared role in the 2002 independent drama film Gerry directed by Gus Van Sant), it’s worth noting that this younger actor also collaborated with Chuck MacLean in penning the movie’s script.

Affleck mentioned that he didn’t attend any writing classes before working on the script; instead, he learned by reading numerous scripts, being surrounded by them, and having a strong urge to express his ideas before they became cluttered in his mind. His approach is sporadic, aiming to get everything out and put it all down on paper as quickly as possible.

Although MacLean isn’t particularly fond of revising, Affleck prefers to “polish” his work and only showed the script for Rory to Affleck for consideration once it was “sufficiently improved.”

Damon remembered reading the script and spotting glimpses of his friend’s character shining through. “His tone is instantly recognizable,” the actor commented. “I had no doubt about it, absolutely no doubt, and I could identify Chuck McLean’s voice too.” The star added that Chuck has a uniquely Boston accent and is exceptionally skilled at his craft. This aspect of the role was particularly enjoyable for him.

The narrative revolves around Damon’s character Rory and Affleck’s character Cobby, a former convict and father, who are teamed up to pilfer money illicitly amassed by a corrupt politician. Yet, things don’t unfold as expected, and this unconventional pair ends up on the run from several threats.

The team shot their scenes at various locations around greater Boston, including Boston itself, Quincy, and Cambridge – a place familiar to one of the stars. Damon expressed his feelings about filming there as, “It’s like returning home. The atmosphere, the local humor… it just feels right for us. It’s always comfortable, like being at home each time I go back.”

Director Doug Liman, who initially worked with Damon on the 2002 blockbuster The Bourne Identity, reflected on how the actor had progressed through the years. “It’s astounding that 20 years have passed since Matt and I first collaborated. It seems as if it were only yesterday. So, it’s remarkable how little has changed, given that Matt and I remain dedicated to creating unique content that aligns with our artistic vision, rather than catering to studio expectations,” Liman said. “What’s striking about Apple is their exceptional support for our unconventional approach.”

Liman pointed out that Damon’s talent continues to grow over time, maintaining the same level of originality. He added, “During the production of The Instigators, there were instances where I would look at Matt and think, ‘Wow, he has grown so much’ – not just in terms of his ability to assist me as a director, but also in comprehending how his acting skills could contribute to my work.”

Regarding the bond among his co-actors, Liman expressed, “They’re essentially like family, which means there’s a massive amount of affection among them that I was able to portray on screen. However, families also have their pet peeves and quirks, and this production was no exception. But when it comes down to it, there’s nothing magical about directing. The cast either clicks or they don’t.”

The Instigators is in select theaters on Friday and hits Apple TV+ on Aug. 9.

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2024-08-01 22:39