At a Glance
- Ben Affleck and Matt Damon joked about their physiques at the Jan. 13 New York City premiere of their Netflix crime thriller “The Rip.”
- Damon gained attention for his muscular look in the upcoming “The Odyssey,” while Affleck shows off his own build in a shirtless scene.
- Affleck quipped, “You’re going to see my abs – you know, it’s about me, really.”
- Why it matters: The longtime friends’ playful banter highlights their on-screen chemistry in the streaming film now available on Netflix.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon traded jokes about their physical conditions while promoting their new Netflix crime drama “The Rip,” which premiered Jan. 13 in New York City and is now streaming.
Premiere Banter
Speaking with E! News on the red carpet, Affleck, 53, teased Damon, 55, after a reporter praised Damon’s abs for Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming “The Odyssey.” Affleck interjected, “Show ’em,” prompting laughter from both stars.
Damon suggested Affleck scripted his own shirtless moment after seeing Damon’s outdoor training photos. “I think he wrote that scene in because he saw that picture…and he immediately went to the gym,” Damon said.
Affleck countered that cinematographer Juanmi Azpiroz enhanced the lighting for his scene, whereas Damon filmed “The Odyssey” under natural sun. “So I wasn’t in that much better shape than him. Just a little bit better,” Affleck added.
Fitness Regimens
Damon previously revealed on the Jan. 7 episode of the “New Heights” podcast that he shot “The Odyssey” at 167 pounds-his lightest weight since high school-after eliminating gluten from his diet. He compared the disciplined preparation to an athlete’s training season, building daily routines around workouts and meals.
About ‘The Rip’
Directed by an unnamed filmmaker, “The Rip” teams Affleck and Damon with Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, and Kyle Chandler as Miami police officers who stumble upon millions in cash at a stash house. Trust erodes among the group once word of the money spreads, setting off a dangerous chain of events.
The film debuted on Netflix immediately following the premiere.
Key Takeaways
- The longtime collaborators continue their tradition of lighthearted public ribbing.
- Both actors committed to physical roles, with Damon bulking for “The Odyssey” and Affleck maintaining action-ready form.
- “The Rip” offers viewers a chance to see the stars’ camaraderie translate into a high-stakes thriller currently available for streaming.
