Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Matt Damon: I'd play a superhero but only if Ben Affleck directs me

Damon laughed at the suggestion that he should play Robin to his best mate's Batman

Jess Denham
Tuesday 12 July 2016 15:07 BST
Comments
Matt Damon, saving the world, one movie at a time
Matt Damon, saving the world, one movie at a time (Victoria Will/Invision/AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Matt Damon is not ruling out the possibility of slipping into a superhero suit, on one condition.

The Hollywood actor will soon be returning to the Bourne franchise as the lead in fifth film Jason Bourne but could be tempted by a stint with Marvel or DC, so long as his best mate Ben Affleck was in the director’s chair.

Affleck, who recently starred as Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and will be reprising the iconic role in Suicide Squad, has written his own solo Batman movie and will be both starring in it and directing. Could Damon be his Robin after all, as fans have long been hoping?

“I’d consider anything with the right director, but I can't imagine there are any superheroes left, I think they’re all taken at the moment,” he said at the Jason Bourne premiere. “If [Ben] was directing me, I’d jump on it in a New York minute. I’d love to work with Ben.”

Damon talks Bourne & Bond


However, as Affleck fans will know, he does like to hog the glory (admittedly not in Good Will Hunting, he let Damon have that one, but Argo was another story). “The problem with Ben is every time he directs a movie he gives himself the best role in it, so until he’s willing to give up the best role to one of his friends we’re not going to get on with it,” Damon laughed.

The 45-year-old has no intention of trying to wangle the coveted part of James Bond from Daniel Craig. “I don’t think anyone from outside the UK should touch that,” he said. “Everything is tougher at 45, just getting into shape is a much more difficult proposition. I started [Bourne] when I was 29, it was so much easier.”

Jason Bourne arrives in UK cinemas from 27 July.

Additional reporting by Press Association

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in