Interview: Matt Damon
Interview: Matt Damon
Also In The News
|
Emmy-winning actor Rip Torn has been bailed after allegedly breaking into a bank with a loaded weapon while drunk. |  |
Wednesday, 03, Feb 2010 09:25
By Anisa Kadri.
He's kicked ass and taken names in the Bourne franchise but Matt Damon doesn't seem like the obvious choice to play a 6ft 5in, 17 stone rugby player. Least of all a South African one. But in Clint Eastwood's Oscar-tipped Invictus - the remarkable story of the Springboks' 1995 rugby world cup campaign - Damon brings the imposing figure of South African captain Francois Pienaar to life and confirms that this actor's versatility only improves with age.
Having added Eastwood to a remarkable list of directors he's worked with - the roster including Scorsese, Spielberg, Coppola and Soderbergh - Damon confirmed his own desire to move behind the camera at the UK premiere of Invictus, as well as the challenges of the South African accent and the future for Jason Bourne.
Did you work with Francois Pienaar himself before filming?
It's always really helpful when you have not only an expert but in this case the person which these things actually happened to. As an actor that's really helpful - it saves a lot of research. Hanging out with him in South Africa was funny, because he's like Elvis down there!
Did you feel a big responsibility with this role?
Definitely. It didn't help that I liked Francois so much and I wanted him to like the movie. I think everybody knows that it is such an incredible moment in that country and everybody felt that working on the movie.
How was working with Morgan Freeman as he took on such an iconic role?
Mandela himself had handpicked him to play him, so everyone knew at some point Morgan was going to do it. I just felt lucky there was a role for me to be close to him while he did it.
What did you struggle with more - the rugby or the accent?
The accent definitely. That took about six months. They talk real different there.
What's tougher American football or rugby?
It's tough to say. They're tough in very different ways. So they each pose as a different type of challenge. They're both pretty rough games though.
And what about your future work - are we going to get a fourth Jason Bourne film?
I think there will be a prequel with another actor and another director before we do another one, just because I think we're probably five years away. We have got to get a script. If you've got any ideas, please call Universal.
You're keen to start directing at some point. What kind of script are you looking to do?
Make a little story, a little simple little human story. Good Will Hunting or something smaller like that. Nothing too tricky the first time round.
Would you be in it?
I dunno, I'd prefer not to be. I mean Ben [Affleck] just directed his second movie and he starred in it as well and he told me and I've heard from other people who have done it as well that it's a lot of work, it's tough to do.
Invictus is released on February 5th.