As an ardent admirer of Hollywood luminaries, I find myself captivated by the extraordinary bond shared by Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, portraying their unconventional alliance in “The Instigators.” Their friendship, forged over decades and reminiscent of a well-worn path, echoes the comforting familiarity that only comes from shared experiences.
This interview was originally published in TopMob magazine.
Renowned actors Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, who are close friends and recipients of the Academy Award, have collaborated on Apple TV+’s thrilling heist series titled “The Agitators.”
Two unlikely partners, Rory (Damon), a former marine, and Cobby (Affleck), a thief, find themselves teaming up to rob a crooked politician who they both despise.
Damon and Affleck had a conversation with The TopMob Podcast covering topics like their movie, their bond, and their celebrity status – delve into the complete chat here, or check out the recording below instead.
https://open.spotify.com/watch?v=episode/0pzbkIjLxUTqCWQmB7SWat
Through The Instigators, your characters form an unexpected duo; however, you’ve been acquainted for nearly all of your lives…
Damon: “Casey and I go way back; he’s slightly younger than me. We resided in the same neighborhood, frequently played hoops at the local park, and shared the school bus commuting experience.”
Casey, is that how you remember it?
As a devoted cinephile, my earliest recollection of Matt dates back to our days on that school bus. I was merely in the second grade while he graced the older seventh graders. Interestingly enough, our girlfriends happened to be sisters. The elder kids occupied the rear seats while we younger ones huddled near the driver. Naturally, my girlfriend and her sister sat at the back, so I found myself joining them. And there was Matt.
Did you both know that you wanted to pursue acting?
Damon: “I was 13 years old and knew that this was my dream. Ben Affleck, Matt’s friend and Casey’s brother, had been on a PBS show, making him a big star in our neighborhood. He had an agent in New York, so when I turned 16, I went with him and secured the same representation.”
Boston to New York is quite a journey for a 16-year-old!
Damon: “I look at it now and I’m shocked!”
Affleck stated, “At that time, I was still quite young. It seems like a generational difference – since our moms held jobs, if we wished to attend auditions, we often had to make the trip to New York on my own.”
Damon: “In New York, we were up to all sorts of exciting escapades without them knowing our plans. Yet, we were always well-behaved children…”
You both dropped out of university to pursue acting — did you have any doubts?
Damon: “During my time in school, I frequently had to take jobs which required me to step away. In a technical sense, I believe I’m currently on an extended break, so I could return to complete my final year.”
“Reflecting on the past, I found myself moving on from my old college days, leaving behind cherished friendships. Fast forward to a few years later, serendipity struck with an opportunity to earn a living as a writer, courtesy of Good Will Hunting. Pondering over this newfound career path, I began to question the need for me to return and obtain my English degree.”
Was it the same for you, Casey?
Affleck: “I’d find myself alternating between school and work, returning to my studies when I wasn’t employed. Sometimes I’ve deeply enjoyed being an actor, but there have been stretches where I questioned if I wanted something else. Yet, I’ve never ventured far enough in any one field to completely abandon acting.”
Matt, Good Will Hunting was your breakthrough film — how did you cope with sudden stardom?
Damon: “It was incredibly confusing, as if someone had altered a crucial part of my personal program within The Matrix – uniquely affecting me. Logically, I understand that all the issues that were important to me yesterday are just as significant today. The world’s problems remain unchanged.”
As someone who has spent years in the public eye, I can attest to the profound impact that fame has on one’s life. It’s a strange and overwhelming sensation to walk into a room and have everyone turn their heads, as if you were some kind of celebrity magnet. It’s an experience that is both exhilarating and exhausting, and it touches every aspect of your existence.
You seem to have navigated fame well, though. What’s your secret?
Damon: “For several years, I worked tirelessly, and the only place where I felt accepted was at the circus alongside my fellow performers. Crews from film sets didn’t care about me; they just wanted to get the job done. So, I secluded myself for a while to gather my thoughts. Eventually, fortunately, I found love with someone who wasn’t in the entertainment industry.”
Affleck: “And who would tolerate it!”
Damon: “Absolutely! In fact, it turned out to be beneficial for me – 25 years ago, the gossip magazine craze was at its peak, but they chose to overlook me. I wasn’t a captivating tale – the married man, it was dull! They were more interested in scandals and sensational stories.”
“I’ve been quite fortunate indeed, and this is particularly evident when comparing my life to Casey’s sibling, Ben. Our professional paths have mirrored each other significantly in many aspects, yet it’s hard for me to fathom enduring the public gaze he has faced for a quarter of a century.”
In collaboration with Matt, who previously worked with Doug Liman on The Bourne Identity, Casey, you and Doug co-wrote The Instigators. Did the filming turn out to be as entertaining as it seemed from the outside? Was the experience equally enjoyable behind the scenes for you?
Damon: “Our goal was to create an enjoyable action-comedy film full of excitement and entertainment.”
And it’s only an hour and a half — a bonus in a climate where films seem to be getting longer…
Damon: “Indeed, it’s quite brief! We aimed to avoid prolonging our stay. Despite its playful and rapid pace, there are deeper layers exploring mental health issues, job instability for those in midlife, economic disruptions, and political dishonesty. It’s not merely a light-hearted entertainment; I hope the characters leave an enduring impression on you.”
The Instigators is available to stream globally on Apple TV+ – you can sign up to Apple TV+ here.
Read More
- DOGS PREDICTION. DOGS cryptocurrency
- SQR PREDICTION. SQR cryptocurrency
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- KNINE PREDICTION. KNINE cryptocurrency
- JASMY PREDICTION. JASMY cryptocurrency
- UXLINK PREDICTION. UXLINK cryptocurrency
- METIS PREDICTION. METIS cryptocurrency
- CLOUD PREDICTION. CLOUD cryptocurrency
- STG PREDICTION. STG cryptocurrency
- DOGE PREDICTION. DOGE cryptocurrency
2024-08-13 02:36