Ben Affleck’s children experienced a unique thrill when they visited the set of The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 13, 2024, Affleck shared that his kids were excited to see their father’s longtime friend, Matt Damon, in action. In contrast, Affleck noted that his children are typically uninterested in his own film sets.
Affleck, 53, who shares three children—Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13—with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, mentioned that his kids often decline invitations to visit his work. “They’re like, ‘No, I got school,’” he said. However, their enthusiasm was different when it came to visiting Nolan’s set.
“My middle child’s really interested in reading The Iliad and The Odyssey, and we went there, and it was really great,” Affleck added. He expressed his gratitude towards Nolan for allowing his children to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the set, which was filmed across various stunning locations including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, and Scotland from February to August 2025.
Damon, 55, revealed that Affleck and his family received a special experience, as they were the only guests allowed during the film’s extensive six-month shoot. “It was such an ambitious project that the amount of work that needed to be done left no time for anything else,” Damon explained. He emphasized the demanding nature of the production, stating, “Every location on that movie would have been the hardest location on any other movie I’ve ever done.”
Despite the challenges, Damon expressed pride in the project, calling it “the pinnacle of my entire career.” He stars as Odysseus in this adaptation of the ancient Greek epic poem, which also features a star-studded cast including Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron.
The Odyssey is set to premiere on July 16, 2025. Affleck also took the opportunity to discuss their collaboration on another project, The Rip, during the same interview. He remarked on the joy of working alongside Damon, highlighting their long-standing friendship.
“I keep relearning things about Matt that I already knew and I forget them,” Affleck told Us Weekly at the film’s New York City premiere. He praised Damon for being a great father and an exceptional actor, adding, “You’re really lucky if you can do this for a living, and you’re exceptionally lucky if you can do it with people you love and care about.”
The Rip is scheduled to be released on Netflix on January 16, 2024, marking yet another chapter in the enduring partnership between Affleck and Damon. Their history in the film industry continues to engage audiences, showcasing not only their talents but also their genuine camaraderie.
