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Held in high regard as one of the best actors of this generation, Matt Damon is known for taking an unconventional route to success. Thanks to his initial roles in the 1990s, the actor got the opportunity to showcase his capabilities and eventually earn the Oscar for his screenplay inGood Will Hunting.
But here’s a crazy story about the existence of the 1997 thriller/romance that served as Matt Damon’s breakout role. Apparently, Damon’s widespread acclaim and major awards forGood Will Huntingcame because he lost his role as a teenage murder suspect in the 1996 thrillerPrimal Fearto Edward Norton.
Also read:Francis Ford Coppola Did The Most Bizarre Thing To Matt Damon, Then Asked Him To “Walk normally” Like Nothing Happened
LosingPrimal FearGave Birth toGood Will Hunting
Exploring the entertainment industry during the early 90s, Matt Damon tried his luck and skills in different projects, likeSchool Ties,Courage Under Fire, andGlory Daze.But unlike most Hollywood stars, Damon didn’t take the traditional route to stardom. Instead, he found his breakout role in the inspirational dramaGood Will Hunting.
Writing the screenplay for the 1997 movie alongside his childhood friend Ben Affleck,Matt Damonestablished himself as a renowned star. The film later earned widespread acclaim and even won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. But apparently,Good Will Huntingwould have never happened if not forPrimal Fear.
According toCollider,Primal Fearfeatured a star-studded cast, and therefore, Matt Damon was desperate to earn a role in the 1996 thriller. Starring alongside veteran performers was a major opportunity for any young actor like Damon. And certainly,The Martianactor, as well as Ben Affleck, became obsessed about landing a role in the film. Unfortunately, neither of them were able to grab the opportunity.
Also read:“They always delete the absolute best scenes”: One Deleted The Incredible Hulk Scene Would Have Shown a Dark Side of Edward Norton’s Hulk
Matt Damon Lost His 1996 Role to Edward Norton
During Matt Damon’s interview withSam Jones, the actor recalled the time when he was desperate to appear inPrimal Fear. The actor revealed that his intentions were so adamant that he even hired a dialect coach to master Aarons’ vocal shifts. He then revealed that even Ben Affleck believed, “whoever got that role was gonna blow up”.
Therefore, dedicating himself to the role of the teenage murder suspect, Matt Damon poured his extensive work into the audition. However, he lost the opportunity toEdward Norton. Damon revealed that he was so devastated after losing the role that he changed his approach towards his career. But certainly, losing the role to Norton served as a blessing in disguise for Damon.
After losing the role and changing his approach, the actor channeled his talents towardsGood Will Huntingalongside his childhood friendBen Affleck. Drawing upon their childhood experiences growing up in Boston, Damon and Affleck centered their film around the mathematics genius Will Hunting, who will unleash his potential by working his way through trauma and struggle.
The duo then sold their script to Harvey Weinstein, who proceeded with the film, starring both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.Good Will Hunting, featuring Robin Williams, eventually became a surprise hit in 1997, which cemented Damon and Affleck in Hollywood.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3218
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
