As a filmmaker who had the privilege of directing the thrilling car chase scene in Boston for “The Instigators,” I can confidently say that it was a unique and special opportunity. Sitting in an Edgartown theater last night, watching the movie with an audience for the first time, I was overjoyed to see no one fidget or leave their seat during the entire runtime. It’s a testament to how engaging and well-paced our film is, and it made me realize that keeping the audience’s attention is paramount in storytelling.
It’s likely that Doug Liman and Matt Damon collaborated again following the significant success of their 2002 film, “The Bourne Identity“, but it’s interesting to note that their latest project, the heist comedy on Apple TV+ titled “The Instigators“, marks their first team-up in over two decades.
Before taking on “The Bourne Identity”, the director and actor were well-known figures. However, their interpretation of Robert Ludlum’s spy novel significantly elevated their careers. From October 2000 when they began filming “Bourne”, they faced numerous difficulties that lasted until their last-minute reshoots in 2002. This intense experience forged a strong friendship between the two, making it unexpected that they didn’t reunite sooner.
Liman shared with The Hollywood Reporter that a shared experience felt like a crucible, making Matt and him feel closer than ever. This significant film was special for both of them. As a result, they developed a bond similar to family. However, it’s unclear how deeply involved they were in any project before “The Instigators.” Liman has always admired Matt, and the feeling appeared mutual. But he wonders, “If we both wanted to work together again, why did 20 years pass us by so quickly?”
As a gamer, I got my hands on the “Instigators” script that Damon, through his production company Artists Equity, passed along to Liman. This script was penned by Chuck MacLean, Casey Affleck, and even Ben Affleck themselves, but when Liman read it, he saw an opportunity to shake up yet another heist franchise where Damon and Casey are part of the crew. Instead of spinning a tale about sleek, expert thieves like Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean trilogy, The Instigators offers a gritty, blue-collar take on the heist genre, focusing on bumbling crooks and the bigwigs pulling the strings.
“No one had ever taken a step back to look at the big picture until I read it, and my reaction was: ‘This is like The Bad News Bears in the world of heist movies. It’s exactly the opposite of Ocean’s Eleven,'” said Liman.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the groundbreaking sci-fi action film “Edge of Tomorrow” that graced our screens ten years ago. Starring Liman, Tom Cruise, and Emily Blunt, this movie raked in an impressive $400 million at the box office initially, although it was considered a modest sum back then. However, over the years, its influence and appeal have significantly expanded. Rumors of a sequel have persisted, with numerous ideas being tossed around, but now there seems to be a renewed energy, perhaps due to Tom Cruise’s recent production agreement with Warners.
As a seasoned filmmaker with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the movie I recently rewatched has left a lasting impression on me. I’ve had the privilege of watching it alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, such as Tom Cruise and now, Emily Blunt. Each viewing offers a new perspective, and this time around was no exception.
In the year 2020, Liman and Cruise initiated work on a film intended for shooting in the International Space Station, making Cruise the first civilian to perform a spacewalk. The partnership with NASA and SpaceX has been progressing slowly, but Liman maintains that the project is still active.
“Liman confirms that it’s a topic of ongoing discussion. He suggests there’s a purpose behind our delayed space travel. Once we venture into space and the film is released, he anticipates feeling grateful it didn’t occur sooner.”
In a recent chat with THR, Liman touches upon the significant change in Damon from the early 2000s to today, and then elaborates on how Damon and Ben Affleck’s production company, Artists Equity, fosters a fairer working atmosphere on set.
Have Matt and you worked together again in a director-actor capacity for the first time since around 2001 or 2002. Was there an effort on your part to bring this collaboration forward earlier in time?
After watching The Bourne Identity, Matt and I forged a strong bond that felt like family. It was a pivotal film for both of us, and it marked the beginning of our long-lasting friendship, although it wasn’t until The Instigators that we collaborated on a project in a more serious capacity. Despite the passage of 20 years, it seems as though no time has passed at all when you consider how eager we both were to work with each other again. It’s amazing how quickly time can fly, especially when you’re fortunate enough to have had the opportunities that we’ve had in our careers. I know Matt feels the same way, and this shared sense of gratitude influences our approach to making movies like The Instigators. We understand that we are among the lucky few who get to create a film like The Instigators, so we pour everything we have into it.
The Matt Damon of 2001 or 2002 versus the Matt Damon of 2024, how would you compare them?
By the way, Bourne went all the way to 2002.
2002 reshoots, right?
Indeed, it’s true that some of those additional filming sessions were crucial to the movie’s development. They weren’t just minor tweaks here and there; they played a significant role in shaping the final product. For instance, during the second reshoot for The Bourne Identity, I found my character’s voice and essence—aspects that hadn’t been fully established before, coming from an independent filmmaking background.
The transformation from Matt earlier to Matt currently is evident when we compare their roles. In the film “Instigators,” there was a significant day where Casey Affleck truly shone at the beach house. I spent an extended period, approximately four hours, capturing Casey’s powerful monologue. This was longer than anticipated, and subsequently, I turned my attention to Matt. He expressed to me, “It’s important for you to know that I believe you made the right decision by focusing on Casey for as long as you did. I don’t have an inflated ego; there’s no need for you to film me longer simply because you invested so much time in Casey. This scene belongs to him. It’s about using our resources effectively, and they were most crucial for Casey. If you manage to get me on camera within five minutes, I won’t be offended. Take as long as necessary, but don’t feel pressured by my ego.”
Reflecting on Matt, I find myself in awe of his incredible growth as an actor and filmmaker. While he’s always been exceptionally talented since his debut in “Good Will Hunting,” it was during the period between “The Bourne Identity” and “Instigators” that I truly believe he found his stride. This is when he mastered the art of utilizing a film’s resources wisely, which is something we both appreciate as artists who understand the privilege of creating movies.
Matt and Casey appeared in the Ocean’s films, a series featuring sophisticated criminals mostly in glamorous scenarios. Was The Instigators conceived as the opposite of the Ocean’s gang, given that these two working-class characters are notably less skilled?
The pitch for the movie never happened; instead, Chuck MacLean initially wrote the script, which Casey later revised. It was somewhat of a family affair, with Ben Affleck contributing as well. However, nobody seemed to have taken a step back to look at the overall picture until I read it. I thought, “This is like a modern take on ‘The Bad News Bears’ for heist movies, an opposite of ‘Ocean’s.'” I felt compelled to make it more distinctive. Matt initially presented the script to me, and while Casey’s character was well-developed, Matt’s character needed more attention because Casey had been writing with himself in mind. They both agreed that they needed to flesh out Matt’s character more.
In the movie “Bourne Identity”, Jason Bourne was essentially a mystery character with no established backstory. This approach didn’t resonate well with audiences during the initial screenings, as they didn’t feel connected to him throughout the film. Matt Damon then proposed a solution similar to what they did for “Bourne Identity”: let’s create an engaging character for him within this universe. What we ultimately developed is a character who, unlike typical heist movie protagonists, has been law-abiding and honest his entire life, working as a floor sander. However, even someone like that would defy the norm and rebel against all rules in a traditional heist film.
Instead of the usual approach, we considered a twist you’ve never encountered: “Couldn’t it add an exciting element if he adheres to the rules even during the robbery?” I may not have expertise in floor sanding as my profession, but I am a hobbyist carpenter who appreciates the importance of double-checking before making a cut. There’s a certain meticulousness involved when jotting down notes while working on carpentry projects. I don’t typically create shotlists when going to a set, but if you observed me in my workshop, you’d see me with a pencil, scribbling numerous details before making any cuts. So, I thought, “I want to incorporate this attention to detail into Matt Damon’s character.” That’s not just his past; it’s his behavior during the heist and while they’re on the run. In fact, there’s only one instance in the entire movie where he acts impulsively with Toby Jones’ character, and unsurprisingly, things don’t go smoothly for them.
It was truly enjoyable yet challenging to reunite with Matt in our efforts to create this, and I can assure you it doesn’t become any simpler. Fortunately, we don’t have a studio breathing down our necks, but that doesn’t mean the struggle on the Bourne Identity set was any less. At that time, Matt had a string of unsuccessful films behind him, and I was completely unproven. Consequently, we didn’t have the backing of the studio when we were trying to bring the Bourne Identity to life, but in the end, crafting an intelligent original film is just as difficult today as it was when I was making Swingers. Perhaps there are other professions where you finally master your craft and it becomes easier, but not in our line of work.
I spotted a Band-Aid on the back of Ving Rhames’ head during a specific shot when his character was being introduced. Could it be a nod to the 30th anniversary of the Band-Aid from his role in “Pulp Fiction”?
Of course, it wasn’t at all! It seems there may have been a mistake. If I had reacted quicker, I would have said, “Yes!” instead.
The film in question features a thrilling car chase across Boston, reminiscent of “The Bourne Identity”. Could the involvement of Boston’s beloved actors make such a stunt appear more effortless?
As a fan, reliving a car chase with Matt Damon brought on a wave of nostalgia and apprehension, especially considering our last high-speed pursuit was in the iconic Bourne Identity. The Bourne franchise is notorious for its pulse-pounding car chases, so stepping back into that seat felt like facing a formidable opponent. A part of me wondered if it would be wise to move on, having already conquered something I was proud of.
In “The Instigators,” we aimed to create a car chase scene that would rival “Bourne Identity,” but the true challenge lay in the intriguing interplay occurring within the vehicle. Casey Affleck’s character uncovers Matt Damon’s character harboring suicidal thoughts, which could be problematic during a high-speed chase. Meanwhile, Hong Chau’s character, a therapist, is urging Matt’s character to slow down or stop for fear of casualties. However, as Casey’s character, you don’t want Matt’s character to cease driving because it would mean the police could apprehend them. Consequently, we wanted to film a scene where the internal drama within the car surpasses the thrill of the exterior chase. Could we manage to make these two elements coexist and create a more engaging viewing experience?
You inquired about featuring Boston’s beloved actors in the movie, and indeed, having Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and other local talents involved granted us access to Massachusetts and Boston, allowing us to secure permissions for activities that other filmmakers might not be permitted to do. For instance, our car chase scene wouldn’t have been possible without this. It would’ve had to rely on special effects, which many movies today use due to the lack of real-life opportunities in Boston. However, when we made Bourne Identity, we went for practical effects instead. Therefore, I appreciate the unique chance I had with Instigators to execute a classic car chase scene.
As a gamer, I’ve noticed that your films typically don’t go beyond the two-hour mark. However, Road House surprisingly ran for 1 hour and 43 minutes – just a minute over the usual. Could it be that you prefer the shorter, more focused storylines of this era instead of the epic runtimes?
As a gamer, I’ve always found it challenging to keep my focus for extended periods due to a short attention span. Last night, however, I experienced something extraordinary at the Edgartown theater in Massachusetts – watching a movie with an audience for the first time. What struck me was the unbroken silence and lack of restlessness among the viewers throughout the entire film. It filled me with joy to witness such engagement, as long movies usually drive me up the wall because people tend to fidget, get up, or leave. But last night, everyone seemed glued to their seats, immersed in the cinematic experience – a sight that truly made my gaming heart sing!
Previously, I created advertisements; however, I wouldn’t produce car ads. Instead, I made commercials with characters and narratives. My script supervisor would often challenge me, “You nailed that performance, but it was seven seconds long. Can you deliver the same quality in just four seconds?” This is one reason why I take great pride in Go. During the time between Swingers and Go, I produced more commercials than any other period of my career. To me, Go represents the efficiency of my storytelling as if someone were timing my performances. As a result, saving the audience’s time has always been important to me, and when you can do something faster without compromising quality, I believe in doing it more quickly.
The movie was created by Damon and Ben Affleck’s production company, Artists Equity, where everyone contributes personally to the project. Can you sense the impact of personal investment during filming?
Indeed, it’s clear that Artists Equity films operate on a level playing field where everyone receives the same resources and treatment. Unlike some movies, there isn’t a distinction between first-rate and second-rate talent. Even when an actor asks for the same luxuries as a high-profile star like Matt Damon, they would receive the same response – “Great! I’m in a similar situation just like everyone else.” It’s common to see differences in accommodations on other sets, with stars having elaborate camps while lower-ranked actors have small trailers. However, in an Artists Equity production, everyone is treated equally, and Matt Damon’s humble attitude reflects this egalitarian approach. This is the culture you would experience if you were to collaborate with him on any project.
Among all professionals in the industry, Matt stands out as genuinely down-to-earth. Meeting a celebrity often leaves one thinking, “They’re so kind, unlike what I imagined.” If you encountered Matt at Starbucks without knowing his identity, you’d think him a genuinely warm and grounded individual. He is an exceptional father, husband, and friend. Yet, even a non-famous counterpart of Matt Damon is accorded star treatment by the system. For instance, if a movie featuring Matt Damon was produced by Fox, he would have a grand trailer while someone lower on the call sheet might occupy a small one. I appreciate that Artists Equity has fostered an atmosphere where such distinctions are minimized on set.
Nine years past, you were set to helm the Gambit movie starring Channing Tatum. Recently, this character and actor have graced the screen in their own film. Did anyone inform you about this beforehand?
Yeah, because [Deadpool & Wolverine] has the same producer. Simon Kinberg was a part of Gambit.
At times, such events can stretch on indefinitely. Just like Emily Blunt’s press tours over the last ten years, the talk surrounding Edge of Tomorrow 2 (or Live Die Repeat and Repeat) has been a mix of positive and negative updates. One moment, there’s an exciting concept for the sequel, only to be followed by disappointment the next. Yet, it continues to be a subject of discussion?
The film hasn’t lost its appeal for anyone. On one hand, I’m incredibly proud of the movie, having not seen it in years, I revisited it this year. I watched it again with the studio, and even had the privilege of watching it with Tom Cruise. Soon, I’ll be rewatching it with Emily Blunt. While I appreciate its quality (good news), I’m also aware that if I were to make a sequel, I want to surpass the original (bad news). Consequently, I spend a significant portion of almost every day pondering ways to improve upon it and potentially exceed its success.
Do you and Cruise still have dreams of spacewalking?
It is something we still talk about, for sure.
When creating a space film featuring a well-known, in-demand actor, does the timeline for completion implicitly extend due to their schedule? Is this an unspoken assumption?
Absolutely, when dealing with Tom Cruise, you’re well aware of his numerous upcoming projects – this is because he’s arguably one of the most renowned actors globally. I personally believe that films are destined to materialize at specific moments. Some of my movies have followed this timeline as expected, while others have surprised me by not aligning with my initial predictions. This is my approach, and I carry it with me. There seems to be a purpose behind our delay in space travel, and when we eventually venture there for the movie, I’m confident I’ll reflect on it and be grateful that it didn’t happen sooner.
***
The Instigators streams August 2 on Apple TV+.
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2024-08-01 03:56