The Martian
Damon stars as astronaut Mark Watney in this science-fiction drama directed by Ridley Scott, based on the book by Andy Weir. Watney, mistakenly left for dead on Mars, has to survive for four years with only limited food, oxygen and other supplies. Co-starring Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kate Mara, Kristen Wiig and Sean Bean.
When we made the movie, we had to go through step by step. He [Watney] is very logical and practical and methodical in how he goes about surviving. He says, essentially, ‘I need air, water, and food, and what do I need to do to ensure I have those things?’ And then kind of lets the science bring you there.
![The Martian | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX](https://newslines.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fej3ioOneTy8%2F0.jpg)
Acts out film career
Damon acts out scenes from his films with Corden on The Late Late Show.
Defends gay actor comments
In an interview with DeGeneres on The Ellen Show, Damon defends comments he made in The Guardian about gay actors.
I was just trying to say actors are more effective when they’re a mystery. Right? And somebody picked it up and said I said gay actors should get back in the closet. Which is like I mean it’s stupid, but it is painful when things get said that you don’t believe…In the blogosphere there’s no real penalty for just taking the ball and running with it,” Damon said. “You know what I mean? You’re just trying to click on your thing. So.
The Guardian interview
Damon is interviewed by The Guardian. He talks about The Martian, Robin Williams and about rumors he and Ben Affleck were gay:
It’s just like any piece of gossip… and it put us in a weird position of having to answer, you know what I mean? Which was then really deeply offensive. I don’t want to, like [imply] it’s some sort of disease—then it’s like I’m throwing my friends under the bus. But at the time, I remember thinking and saying, Rupert Everett was openly gay and this guy—more handsome than anybody, a classically trained actor—it’s tough to make the argument that he didn’t take a hit for being out. I think it must be really hard for actors to be out publicly. But in terms of actors, I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you period. And sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether you’re straight or gay, people shouldn’t know anything about your sexuality because that’s one of the mysteries that you should be able to play.
Apologizes for diversity remarks
Damon apologizes for his comments on diversity:
I believe deeply that there need to be more diverse filmmakers making movies. I love making movies. It’s what I have chosen to do with my life and I want every young person watching Project Greenlight to believe that filmmaking is a viable form of creative expression for them too. My comments were part of a much broader conversation about diversity in Hollywood and the fundamental nature of Project Greenlight which did not make the show. I am sorry that they offended some people, but, at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood. That is an ongoing conversation that we all should be having
Diversity comments
In the season four premiere of Project Greenlight, Damon and Brown are among a number of producers discussing which finalist would win the contest and go on to direct the chosen script for the season. Brown wants directing team Leo Angelos & Kristen Brancaccio (an Asian man and white woman), in part because Brancaccio flagged the stereotypical aspects of the only black character in the script. Brown:
I want to urge people to think about, whoever this director is, the way that they’re going to treat the character of Harmony, her being a prostitute — the only black person being a hooker who gets hit by her white pimp. You’re looking at this group right here, and who you’re picking, and the story that you’re doing, and I just want to make sure we’re doing our best —
Damon:
The only team that’s left with diversity is the team that announced that they liked this script the most as it is, and that’s Leo and Kristen. Everyone else had major problems with it, with exactly the things that you’re bringing up, and exactly the things that we brought up to each other. I think on the surface, they might look like one thing, but they might end up giving us something that we don’t want. And when we’re talking about diversity, you do it in the casting of the film, not in the casting of the show (italics added).
Brown:
Wow, okay.
The Martian official trailer
20th Century Fox releases the trailer for The Martian.
To reprise Jason Bourne role
0 CommentsDamon plans to reprise his role as Jason Bourne in 2016.
It’ll be in 2016 when the movie will actually come out. (Director) Paul Greengrass is going to do another one and that’s all I ever said. I just needed him to say yes.
Ice Bucket Challenge: Matt Damon
Damon is nominated by Jimmy Kimmel and Ben Affleck and nominates George Clooney, Bono and Tom Brady. Instead of ice water, Damon uses toilet water, to promote Water.org, whose goal is to provide clean water to people around the world.
We envision the day when everybody has access to a clean drink of water, and here are about 800 million people in the world who don’t…The water in our toilets in the West is actually cleaner than the water that most people in the developing world have access to. So, as disgusting as this may seem, hopefully it will highlight that this is a big problem and hopefully we can do something about it.
The Monuments Men
0 CommentsDamon plays James Granger in the biographical war drama, The Monuments Men. Set during World War II, a group of art experts form a platoon to save artistic masterpieces scattered across Europe before the Nazis get to them, and find the ones that they’ve already hidden. Co-starring George Clooney, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, and John Goodman.
It was one of the easiest jobs that I’ve ever taken, in the sense there was no question I was gonna do it from the second it was offered to me.
Elysium
0 CommentsDamon plays Max in the sci-fi action film, Elysium. The year is 2154 and Earth is in ruins. The rich, however, live in Elysium, a space station that hovers above the Earth. Max will do what it takes to bring equality between the two worlds, even if it means putting his own life at risk. Co-starring Jodie Foster. On working with director Neill Blomkamp:
I saw District 9 like everybody, and I freaked out… And so he instantly jumped to the top of the list of people that I wanted to work with.
Emmy nomination
Damon is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards for portraying Scott Thorson on Behind the Candelabra.
Tavis Smiley interview
Damon discusses his latest project, Promised Land, co-written by, co-produced by, and starring himself, in this interview for PBS. On natural gas drilling in the United States:
Well, leaving the film out of it, it’s a very divisive issue and people feel very strongly one way or another. So for us, we wanted to make this movie about where we are in America right now, so it was really the perfect issue to use as a backdrop for that, to explore those themes, because the film covers where we’ve come from, where we are, and where we’re going, and what happens when big money collides with real people.
Promised Land
0 CommentsDamon plays Steve Butler in the drama, Promised Land. A small U.S. town is having an economic crisis. Seeing an opportunity, Butler offers land owners a chance to sell the drilling rights to their properties. However, it isn’t going to be easy for the corporate salesman, especially after he is met with opposition by a local school teacher.
We really wanted to make a movie about where we are right now in America and where we’ve come from… and where were headed.
We Bought a Zoo
0 CommentsDamon plays Benjamin Mee in the family film, We Bought a Zoo. After the death of his wife, Mee and his children need a fresh start. The family moves to the countryside to put all their efforts into re-opening a struggling zoo. Co-starring Scarlett Johansson.
You know, I really related to it. He’s just trying to keep his family together at the beginning of the movie. It’s this really life affirming movie.
Elle Magazine interview
Damon gives an interview to Elle about how changing his bad boy attitude helped his career.
The minute people started saying, “He’s the all-American guy,” my career got interesting. It liberated me. Instantly it was an image directors could f-ck with.
Happy Feet 2
0 CommentsDamon voices Bill the Krill in the animated children’s film, Happy Feet 2. Being the son of ‘The Master of Tap’ is tough especially if you can’t dance. Disheartened, Erik the penguin leaves his land and sets off on a journey to find his dancing feet. Co-starring Elijah Wood, Pink, Robin Williams, Sofia Vergara, and Brad Pitt among others.
Even then you can see in a very, very rough form that it was going to be great, and that it had this really great message. And so I got excited.
Contagion
0 CommentsDamon plays Mitch Emhoff in the thriller, Contagion. After the outbreak of an unknown disease, panic and chaos ensue worldwide. As the CDC works around the clock to find a cure, millions of people are dying every hour. Co-starring Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet and Bryan Cranston. On his role:
I think he’s the easiest character to relate to in a lot of ways… Because he’s just a guy trying to keep his daughter alive, and I think any parent can relate to that.
Supports Walker recall
ThinkProgress asks Damon if he supports efforts to recall Walker because of his school budget cuts:
among other things, yeah.
Men’s Health covers
Blunt and Damon appear on the cover of the April 2011 issue of Men’s Health Ukraine and Men’s Health Russia magazine.