Hollywood star Matt Damon recently made a surprising revelation during the Mumbai press conference for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. When asked which Indian filmmaker he would most like to work with, Damon did not name SS Rajamouli or any other contemporary director. Instead, he spoke about Shekhar Kapur, the veteran Indian filmmaker behind Mr. India and Elizabeth, and admitted that turning down Kapur’s 2002 film The Four Feathers remains one of his biggest career regrets.
The actor, who is in Mumbai along with Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland, and producer Emma Thomas for the India premiere of The Odyssey, called the missed collaboration a “20-year-old little debt” he has been carrying around.
Matt Damon Reveals His Longtime Wish to Work With Shekhar Kapur
During the press conference held on July 11, 2026, at a five-star hotel in South Mumbai, Damon was asked which Indian filmmaker he would most like to collaborate with. Without any hesitation, the Oscar-winning actor named Shekhar Kapur and reflected on how close they came to working together more than two decades ago.
“I remember that when we were starting out, everyone wanted to collaborate with Shekhar Kapur. I remember when I couldn’t do The Four Feathers for some reason, I was really upset about that. I think I was signed up for a Bourne movie. So, I guess, he has always been on my list and I would like to have another go. That’s like a 20-year-old little debt I’ve been carrying around in my pocket.”
Damon was originally attached to star in Kapur’s historical war drama The Four Feathers, which released in 2002. However, scheduling conflicts with the Jason Bourne franchise forced him to step away from the project. The role eventually went to the late Heath Ledger, who headlined the film alongside Kate Hudson, Wes Bentley, and Djimon Hounsou.
The actor admitted that the missed opportunity has stayed with him over the years. He described Kapur as a filmmaker that “everyone wanted” to collaborate with during the early days of his career.
Shekhar Kapur Responds With Excitement and Admiration
Damon’s comments quickly reached Shekhar Kapur, who responded with equal warmth and enthusiasm. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, the filmmaker expressed his admiration for Damon and his hope that the two could finally work together.
“I don’t think there is a filmmaker in the world who wouldn’t give their right arm to work with an actor who has as much emotional depth as Matt Damon. Who can ever forget his famous scene with Robin Williams, ‘It’s not your fault,’ in Good Will Hunting. I must have watched it over a thousand times and been moved to tears each time.”
Kapur ended his message with a direct invitation to the Hollywood star:
“Events move between the past, present and the future… while time is created in our imagination… so it’s time, Matt, that we finally collaborate.”
Speaking to HT City, the filmmaker further expressed optimism about the long-awaited collaboration, saying, “I hope the collaboration happens. It’s time Matt, and I finally collaborate.”
The Film That Got Away: The Four Feathers
The Four Feathers, directed by Shekhar Kapur, was released in 2002 and based on A.E.W. Mason’s novel of the same name. The period drama followed Harry Feversham, a British officer who leaves his regiment before they depart for Sudan. His decision earns him the label of a coward from his friends and fiancée, pushing him to secretly return to Sudan on a dangerous mission to reclaim his honour.
The film featured Heath Ledger in the lead role, along with Kate Hudson, Wes Bentley, and Djimon Hounsou in important roles. To celebrate its release, Ledger, Hudson, and Bentley visited Mumbai for the premiere with director Shekhar Kapur. By then, Kapur had already made a name for himself internationally with acclaimed films like Elizabeth and Bandit Queen, earning recognition as one of the first Indian filmmakers to build a successful career in Hollywood while continuing to be celebrated back home.
The Odyssey Brings Hollywood to Mumbai
Matt Damon is currently in India along with Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland, and producer Emma Thomas as part of the global promotional tour for The Odyssey. Mumbai is one of only four cities, alongside London, Paris, and New York, hosting an official premiere for the film. This marks the first time a Christopher Nolan movie has had an official launch in India.
On July 10, 2026, Nolan, Damon, Holland, and Thomas attended a fan screening of the film at PVR ICON IMAX: Phoenix Palladium. The team launched the film in Mumbai with a special screening for the media, followed by a red-carpet premiere on July 11 that was attended by several members of the Indian film industry.
Christopher Nolan thanked the Indian audience and said it was always a thrill to be in India. He described Indian audiences as some of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable cinematic audiences in the world.
Matt Damon on Playing Odysseus in The Odyssey
In Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic, Matt Damon takes on the role of Odysseus, the legendary Greek hero and King of Ithaca. The film follows Odysseus’ arduous ten-year journey home after the Trojan War, as he battles mythical creatures, survives impossible odds, and fights to reunite with his family.
Reflecting on stepping into the role, Damon said the experience was unlike anything he had done before.
“He’s such a fascinating, complex character, but to do it at this scale, in this way, with Chris, you know, everything practical, everything in camera, it felt like my one chance to make a David Lean movie, and I’d always wanted to do that. I felt such gratitude from the moment he called me.”
Damon also praised Nolan’s practical approach to filmmaking and the dedication of the cast and crew who came together from across the world to bring the ambitious project to life. He called the role one of the defining experiences of his career.
Also Read:
Shekhar Kapur’s Upcoming Projects
While a collaboration with Matt Damon has not been officially announced, Shekhar Kapur has several projects in the pipeline. His next directorial venture is Masoom: The New Generation, which will explore themes of identity, family, love, and migration through a contemporary lens while retaining the emotional core of the 1983 classic. Veteran actors Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah, who played the lead roles in the original film, are set to return. Production is expected to begin later this year.
The Odyssey is scheduled to release in theatres in India on July 17, 2026. The film has reportedly received an ‘A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India without any cuts. The listed runtime is 172.33 minutes, or 2 hours, 52 minutes and 33 seconds. The ensemble cast includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, and Samantha Morton.
Stay connected with VvipTimes for the latest updates on Hollywood, Bollywood, and everything in between.
