Hollywood’s best friends spoke to USA TODAY ahead of their new Netflix movie, The Rip.
Matt Damon explains his ‘Be Good’ pin at ‘The Rip’ premiere
Matt Damon tells USA TODAY why he wore a “Be Good” pin at the premiere of his new Netflix movie, “The Rip.”
- Everlasting friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck co-star in the new Netflix movie “The Rip” (released January 16th).
- They play Miami police officers who grapple with ethical dilemmas when they come into possession of $20 million in cash.
- In the pair’s interview, the two stars pick each other’s most underrated roles and discuss their films.
NEW YORK – You know that scene in “Step Brothers” where Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly realize they just became best friends?
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck can relate because they grew up as childhood friends in the Boston suburbs.
“I don’t know if there was a moment where I was like, ‘Do you want to do karate in the garage?'” Damon said with a laugh while sitting with Affleck at a Midtown hotel. Rather, “it was an accumulation of those moments. Friendships at that age are incredibly special and life-changing.”
Together, they have conquered Hollywood over the past three decades. Their latest team-up is “The Rip” (available on Netflix January 16th), in which they play Miami police officers whose loyalty is tested when they stumble across $20 million in cash. The action thriller, written and directed by Joe Carnahan, is loosely inspired by the true story of one of Carnahan’s law enforcement friends, who also helped recruit the real-life police officers to star in the film.
On Affleck and Damon’s set, “you could tell how deeply they respected and loved each other,” Carnahan says. “You’ve known this guy since you were a kid. You can’t have that connection.”
Damon, 55, and Affleck, 53, got into the industry as extras in 1989’s “Field of Dreams” at Fenway Park. But their breakthrough came after they co-wrote and starred in 1997’s “Good Will Hunting,” which won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Damon said it was a “blessing” to receive the award so early. This is because from now on there is no need to chase awards.
Since then, the A-listers have gotten to know each other through relationships, personal struggles, and becoming fathers. Much ink has been spilled about their friendship, but they have learned never to read their own press.
“It’s not helpful to know what people have an opinion about,” Affleck says. Damon added: “I don’t think I’ve looked at a comment section since the first time I saw it (lol). I thought, ‘Well, I’m never going to do that again!'”
Actors talk to USA TODAY about ‘The Rip’, their most underrated movies and more.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
You tailed a real cop and took a ride with him in Miami. Have you ever seen people do a double take, like, “Wait, what are Matt and Ben doing in a police car in Florida?”
Ben Affleck: Some of the other officers who weren’t part of that group were a little surprised. However, since this was a secret unit, there were no markings on the cars and they were quite discreet people. (Many of them) came to the premiere with their wives and families. It was really rewarding and fun to see them think, “Oh, wow, what we’re doing is on screen.”
Looking back, what movies left an impression on you?
Matt Damon: I was supposed to do “Milk” with Gus (Van Sant). Then something happened with Sean (Penn)’s schedule and they had to push through the movie, which created a conflict for me, so I ended up recasting with Josh Brolin. I love the script and had already done the research. But I wanted to be a part of it, and it probably would have been better if Josh offered it to me. he was great. That was the moment when I, in my 30s, thought, “This must have happened for a reason.” So I was optimistic about it in the end.
When you look at this next generation of actors, do you ever think, “Oh, thank God I met you at this time”?
Affleck: Business was much more predictable back then. I knew what I needed to do and had very clear rules and boundaries with no social media monitoring. There seems to be an implication now that it’s incumbent upon people not only to do their best work as actors, but also to provide derivative and acting stories about their lives on social media, which I think really defeats the purpose of trying to make people believe that you’re a character in a movie. It’s definitely an additional burden.
It’s often said that Hollywood doesn’t make stars anymore. But who actually has that “it” factor?
Damon: Teyana (Taylor). Michael B. Jordan and Timothée Chalamet. They don’t seem to have the courage to say that, especially since they are people who have already achieved A-list status.
Affleck: But even if they don’t become movie stars, well, here they are! It’s clear to me that they have the world at their feet.
You both have teenage children. What’s the most fun thing you’ve had with them recently?
Affleck: My kids showed me Aftersun, and I thought it was one of the best movies I’d ever seen. That was unusual. What a gift it is for our children to be exposed to powerful and meaningful art in their lives. My kids, and Matt’s kids, are really smart. It’s very smart and really interesting. One of the fun parts of growing up and becoming a parent is that you turn around and they start teaching you so much. It’s the joy of life.
What about the trends you don’t understand?
Affleck: How much time do you have?
Damon: “6-7.” I don’t think we should take that, but that’s okay.
What do you both think is the most underrated movie?
Damon: Ben has a lot, but the movie he put out right after coronavirus hit, The Way Back, was a great performance.
Affleck: Matt in Stillwater is amazing. “Informant!” isn’t always talked about, but “The Good Shepherd” is a truly exquisite film. This is a very subtle, very quiet, but very penetrating look at intelligence agencies in American history. I think it’s really beautiful. I’m a fan.
Matt, “Margaret” is one of my favorites.
Damon: Thank you, it was a four day job (laughs).
And Ben, you should have won an Oscar for Gone Girl.
Damon: I feel like that movie got a lot of attention, but yeah, that one too. I mean, I was always his biggest fan because we were each other’s biggest fans at a time when there were no other fans in the world.
Affleck: The biggest and only one!
Damon: But I think that’s what happens when you get into middle age and get richer in life, and I think he’s taken it to the next level in the last 10 years. Like The Last Duel, which we wrote about, no one saw it, but he was incredible in that movie. It goes all the way to “The Tender Bar” and “Air.” He’s in tears right now.
