Matt Damon says 'The Odyssey' is the hardest film of his career

Matt Damon admitted that playing hero Odysseus in “The Odyssey” is the hardest portrayal he has ever done in his 38-year film career.

In Lyn Ching's report on "24 Oras" Monday, the Hollywood actor jokingly said that the film was "a nightmare in all the right ways."

“It just required so much effort and expertise from so many people. We’ve all been pushed harder than we’ve ever been pushed,” Matt shared.

Director Christopher Nolan also praised Matt for his “incredible range" as an actor.

"If you look at Matt's other performances, he's often an accessible everyman. Whether he's playing a character in 'The Martian' or 'We Bought a Zoo' or 'Good Will Hunting,' but he's also Jason Bourne that's a kind of cold assassin. Odysseus needed certainly both of those things. He's an actor of incredible range," he said.

Co-star Tom Holland likewise praised him and looks up to Matt’s “optimism, joy, and passion for the work.”

“That hunger and drive to achieve something that has never been done before was exactly what it would have been like at the beginning of his career,” Tom said. “That torch has never gone out, maybe even gotten brighter.”

“And for me as an actor, to see someone who is leading by example, knows every crew member’s name and has a personal relationship with everyone on set, really gave me so much to look up to and to learn from,” he added.

Matt also talked about his life’s journey of “trying to grow and evolve, do better in every facet of your life.”

“And experience the wonder and joy of life and build real relationships with people, particularly in your home life, becoming a father, and all of what that means. The responsibility but also the care in those relationships,” Matt said.

“It's all connected. The work that we do draws on our own lives. There’s a deep connection between our purpose and our work and the things that we hold the dearest,” he added.

A film adaptation of Homer's "Odyssey," the upcoming film is set to premiere in Philippine cinemas on Wednesday, July 15. —Nika Roque/CDC, GMA News