Matt Damon recently spoke with journalist Chris Wallace on “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace” prior to the Screen Actors Guild strike. During the interview, the actor expressed his close and longstanding friendship with Ben Affleck, his longtime friend and co-star.
Damon mentioned that he and Affleck have been “bizarrely close for a long time.” When asked if they ever went through a period where they were not as close, Damon pointed to the 2021 Beatles documentary “Get Back” as a turning point in how he perceived their relationship. The documentary captured the iconic rock band during the creation of their final studio album before their breakup in 1970, showcasing their happiness and camaraderie.
“‘You know, we both kind of hit the lottery. Why aren’t we working together more often?
After watching the documentary, Damon reached out to Affleck and asked why they weren’t working together more often, considering they both hit the jackpot with “Good Will Hunting,” which earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. They had refrained from writing together for many years until reuniting for the 2021 film “The Last Duel.”
Damon mentioned that their relationship took on a new dimension after his father, Kent Damon, with whom Affleck was very close, passed away in 2017. This event seemingly changed something between them, and they began to prioritize making every second count in their friendship and collaborations.
Since then, Damon and Affleck have used their star power to create the production company Artists Equity in November. Their first release under this banner was “Air,” where they played Nike sports executives who signed NBA star Michael Jordan to a historic brand deal in 1984.
The two actors’ close bond and their renewed commitment to working together have endeared them to their fans, and their creative partnership continues to thrive in the entertainment industry.
