Editing Matt Damon (section)

== Career ==
{{see also|Matt Damon filmography}}

=== 1988–1999: Early work and breakthrough ===

Damon entered [[Harvard University]] in 1988,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-06 |title=Oscar winner Matt Damon on his Harvard years |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2013/08/oscar-winner-matt-damon-on-his-harvard-years/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=[[Harvard Gazette]] |language=en-US}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|He lived in Matthews Hall and then [[Lowell House]]<ref name="Harvard1992">{{cite news|last=McGrath|first=Charles|work=[[The New York Times]]|title=6 Degrees of Harvard|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/weekinreview/01mcgrath.html?scp=1&sq=matt%20damon%20harvard%201992&st=cse|date=October 1, 2006 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 5, 2009|archive-date=May 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510060758/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/weekinreview/01mcgrath.html?scp=1&sq=matt%20damon%20harvard%201992&st=cse|url-status=live}}</ref>|group="nb"}} where he appeared in student theater plays, such as ''[[Burn This]]'' and ''A... My Name is Alice''.<ref name="Chainani">{{cite web|last=Chainani|first=Soman S.|work=[[The Harvard Crimson]]|title=Matt Damon On Life, Acting and Harvard|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1997/12/12/matt-damon-on-life-acting-and/|access-date=April 21, 2010|archive-date=November 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119132343/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1997/12/12/matt-damon-on-life-acting-and/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="HarvardCrimson">{{cite news|last=Siegler|first=Elijah|work=[[The Harvard Crimson]]|title=Ex Show Safe but Satisfying|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1990/11/2/ex-show-safe-but-satisfying-piamy/|date=November 2, 1990|access-date=October 11, 2013|archive-date=October 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012014152/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1990/11/2/ex-show-safe-but-satisfying-piamy/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, he made his film debut at the age of 18, with a single line of dialogue in the [[romantic comedy]] ''[[Mystic Pizza]]''.<ref name="People - Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/matt_damon/biography|title=Matt Damon Biography|access-date=April 5, 2009|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|archive-date=February 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203011048/http://www.people.com/people/matt_damon/biography|url-status=live}}</ref> As a student at Harvard, he acted in small roles such as in the [[Turner Network Television|TNT]] original film ''Rising Son'' and the ensemble prep-school drama ''[[School Ties]]''.<ref name="actors">{{citation | url=http://www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio/season-13/videos/matt-damon | title=Matt Damon - Season 13, Episode 3 | work=[[Inside the Actors Studio]] | publisher=Bravo TV | date=January 8, 2007 | access-date=October 3, 2014 | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006121451/http://www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio/season-13/videos/matt-damon | url-status=live }}</ref> He left the school in 1992, a semester (12 credits) shy of completing his Bachelor of Arts in English to feature in ''Geronimo: An American Legend''<ref name="Chainani" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Oscars/matt-damon-stars/story?id=9957289|title=Matt Damon: Before They Were Stars|work=ABC News|first=Jennifer|last=Joseph|date=March 1, 2010|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803203839/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Oscars/matt-damon-stars/story?id=9957289|url-status=live}}</ref> in Los Angeles, erroneously expecting the movie to become a big success.<ref name="Chainani" />{{#tag:ref|"By the time I figured out I had made the wrong decision, it was too late. I was living out here with a bunch of actors, and we were all scrambling to make ends meet," he has said.<ref>{{cite news|last=Koltnow|first=Barry |work=The Orange County Register|title=Looking for Mr. 'Good' Guy|date=December 5, 1999}}</ref>|group="nb"}} Damon next appeared as an [[opiate]]-addicted soldier in 1996's ''[[Courage Under Fire]]'', for which he lost {{convert|40|lb|kg}} in 100&nbsp;days<ref name="People - Bio"/><ref name="EW40lbs">{{cite magazine|last=Greenblatt|first=Leah|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|title=Actorexia: A Brief History|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/10/01/who-else-emile-hirsch-wild/|date=September 21, 2007|access-date=March 1, 2020|archive-date=February 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217162243/https://ew.com/article/2007/10/01/who-else-emile-hirsch-wild/|url-status=live}}</ref> on a self-prescribed diet and fitness regimen. ''Courage Under Fire'' gained him critical notice, when ''[[The Washington Post]]'' labeled his performance "impressive".<ref>{{cite news|last=Kempley|first=Rita|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|title=Hand-to-Heart Combat|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/courageunderfirekemp.htm|date=November 8, 1998|access-date=April 21, 2010|archive-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110122716/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/courageunderfirekemp.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Matt Damon 1999.jpg|thumb|upright|Damon during filming for ''[[The Talented Mr. Ripley (film)|The Talented Mr. Ripley]]'' in 1999]]

During the early 1990s, [[Ben Affleck and Matt Damon|Damon and Affleck]] wrote ''[[Good Will Hunting]]'' (1997), a screenplay about a young mathematics genius, an extension of a screenplay he wrote for an assignment at Harvard, having integrated advice from director [[Rob Reiner]], screenwriter [[William Goldman]], and writer/director [[Kevin Smith]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ben-affleck-birthday_n_3750655| title=Ben Affleck's 41st Birthday Recalls Actor's Early Roles, Surprising Hobbies And Political Activism| work=HuffPost | date=August 15, 2013 |author=Matthew Jacobs | access-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007055630/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/15/ben-affleck-birthday_n_3750655.html| url-status=live |archive-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> He asked Affleck to perform the scenes with him in front of the class and, when Damon later moved into Affleck's Los Angeles apartment, they began working on the script more seriously.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sischy |first=Ingrid |title=New Again: Ben Affleck |url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-ben-affleck/ |work=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]] |access-date=May 10, 2018 |date=April 16, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619233859/http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-ben-affleck/ |archive-date=June 19, 2017 }}</ref> The film, which they wrote mainly during improvisation sessions, was set partly in their hometown of Cambridge, and drew from their own experiences.<ref name="bostonmag-history">{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2013/01/good-will-hunting-oral-history/ |title=Good Will Hunting: An Oral History |first=Janelle |last=Nanos |work=Boston Magazine |date=January 2013 |access-date=June 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715034905/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2013/01/good-will-hunting-oral-history/ |archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Shone|first=Tom|title=The Double Life of Matt Damon|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/the-double-life-of-matt-damon-9mspqql8h8j|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=May 10, 2018|date=February 26, 2011|archive-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005071754/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-double-life-of-matt-damon-9mspqql8h8j|url-status=live}}</ref> They sold the screenplay to [[Castle Rock Entertainment|Castle Rock]] in 1994, but after a conflict with the company, they convinced [[Miramax]] to purchase the script.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4720603/Good-Will-Hunting-the-truth.html |last=Goldman |first=William |title=Good Will Hunting: the Truth |work=The Telegraph |date=May 2, 2000 |access-date=May 12, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151342/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4720603/Good-Will-Hunting-the-truth.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="highbeam1">{{cite news|url=https://business.highbeam.com/137462/article-1G1-57790090/playboy-interview-ben-affleck-candid-conversation-hot|title=Playboy Interview: Ben Affleck|last=Weinraub|first=Bernard|date=December 1, 1999|work=[[Playboy]]|access-date=May 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703192630/https://business.highbeam.com/137462/article-1G1-57790090/playboy-interview-ben-affleck-candid-conversation-hot|archive-date=July 3, 2017|url-status=dead|via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref> The film received critical praise; Quentin Curtis of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' found "real wit and vigour, and some depth" in their writing and Emanuel Levy of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote that Damon "gives a charismatic performance in a demanding role that's bound to catapult him to stardom. Perfectly cast, he makes the aching, step-by-step transformation of Will realistic and credible."<ref>{{cite news|last=Curtis|first=Quentin|title=Good Will Hunting, review: 'Robin Williams brings off sharpness and tenderness'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11035949/Good-Will-Hunting-review-Robin-Williams-brings-off-sharpness-and-tenderness.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11035949/Good-Will-Hunting-review-Robin-Williams-brings-off-sharpness-and-tenderness.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=May 12, 2018|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=August 15, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Levy|first=Emanuel|title=Good Will Hunting|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/good-will-hunting-3-1200452429/|access-date=May 12, 2018|work=Variety|date=November 30, 1997|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226120724/http://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/good-will-hunting-3-1200452429/|url-status=live}}</ref> It received nine [[Academy Awards]] nominations, including [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Damon; he and Affleck won the [[Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay|Oscar]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay]].<ref name="Hartford9Nominations">{{cite news|author=Amy Wallace|author2=Robert W. Welkos|author3=Susan King|title='Titanic' Ties Record for Oscar Nominations|work=[[The Hartford Courant]]|url=http://www.courant.com/topic/cl-env-1998oscarnoms,0,2173092.story?page=1|date=February 11, 1998|access-date=April 5, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922033106/http://www.courant.com/topic/cl-env-1998oscarnoms,0,2173092.story?page=1|archive-date=September 22, 2009}}<br />{{cite news|last=Waxman|first=Sharon|author2=William Booth|title='Titanic's' 11 Oscars Ties Record; Night 'Good' for Nicholson, Hunt|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/movies/oscars/oscars98.htm|date=March 23, 1998|access-date=April 5, 2009|archive-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110065806/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/movies/oscars/oscars98.htm|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web | url=http://www.eonline.com/news/584691/ben-affleck-s-most-awkward-smiles-see-that-one-in-gone-girl-and-9-from-real-life | title=Ben Affleck's Most Awkward Smiles | publisher=E! Entertainment | author=Corrine Heller | date=October 2, 2014 | access-date=October 3, 2014 | archive-date=October 3, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003192653/http://www.eonline.com/news/584691/ben-affleck-s-most-awkward-smiles-see-that-one-in-gone-girl-and-9-from-real-life | url-status=live }}</ref> He and Affleck were each paid salaries of $600,000, while the film grossed over $225&nbsp;million at the worldwide box office.<ref name="bomojo"/><ref name="BioChannel$500K">{{cite web|publisher=[[The Biography Channel]] |title=Matt Damon |url=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/1685:2046/1/Matt_Damon.htm |access-date=April 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918010053/http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/1685%3A2046/1/Matt_Damon.htm |archive-date=September 18, 2009 }}</ref> The two later parodied their roles from the film in Kevin Smith's 2001 movie ''[[Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://ew.com/gallery/perfect-casting-stars-screen-themselves/ | title=Perfect Casting: Stars on Screen as Themselves | date=June 12, 2013 | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | access-date=March 1, 2020 | archive-date=August 3, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803183932/https://ew.com/gallery/perfect-casting-stars-screen-themselves/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Speaking of his "overnight success" through ''Good Will Hunting'', Damon said by that time he had been working in the cinema for 11 years, but still found the change "nearly indescribable—going from total obscurity to walking down a street in New York and having everybody turn and look".<ref>{{cite news|last=Goldman|first=Steven|title=Interview: Matt Damon|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/10/1|access-date=May 12, 2018|work=The Guardian|date=August 9, 2007|archive-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812040939/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/10/1|url-status=live}}</ref> Before the film, Damon played the lead in the critically acclaimed drama ''[[The Rainmaker (1997 film)|The Rainmaker]]'' (1997), where he was recognized by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' as "a talented young actor on the brink of stardom."<ref>{{cite web |first=Jack |last=Matthews |url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie980106-50,0,962161.story |title=John Grisham's The Rainmaker |access-date=April 21, 2010 |date=November 21, 1997 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100628142930/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie980106-50,0,962161.story |archive-date=June 28, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> For the role, Damon regained most of the weight he had lost for ''Courage Under Fire''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Geier|first=Thom|title=The Evolution of Matt Damon (Photos)|url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-evolution-of-matt-damon-from-mystic-pizza-to-jason-bourne-photos/|access-date=May 12, 2018|work=TheWrap|date=December 22, 2017|archive-date=May 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513080836/https://www.thewrap.com/the-evolution-of-matt-damon-from-mystic-pizza-to-jason-bourne-photos/|url-status=live}}</ref> After meeting Damon on the set of ''Good Will Hunting'', director [[Steven Spielberg]] cast him in the brief title role in the 1998 [[World War II]] film ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/matt-damon-playing-private-ryan/ | title=Matt Damon: Playing Private Ryan | author=CBS News Staff | date=July 23, 1998 | work=CBS News | access-date=October 3, 2014 | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006104800/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/matt-damon-playing-private-ryan/ | url-status=live }}</ref> He co-starred with [[Edward Norton]] in the 1998 poker film ''[[Rounders (film)|Rounders]]'', where he plays a reformed gambler in law school who must return to playing high-stakes [[poker]] to help a friend pay off [[loan shark]]s. Despite meager earnings at the box-office, it is considered one of the best poker movies of all time.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rosen|first1=Christopher|title='Rounders' Turns 15: Matt Damon Poker Movie Splashed The Pot On Sept. 11, 1998|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rounders-15th-anniversary_n_3902343|access-date=March 1, 2020|work=HuffPost|date=September 11, 2013|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803185134/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rounders-15th-anniversary_n_3902343|url-status=live}}</ref>

Damon then portrayed antihero [[Tom Ripley]] in ''[[The Talented Mr. Ripley (film)|The Talented Mr. Ripley]]'' (1999), a role for which he lost {{convert|25|lb|disp=flip}}. Damon said that he wanted to display his character's humanity and honesty on screen despite his criminal actions.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnston|first1=Sheila|title=Interview: Matt Damon: The talented Mr Damon tries on the Emperor's|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/interview-matt-damon-the-talented-mr-damon-tries-on-the-emperors-new-clothes-for-size-1183460.html|access-date=May 12, 2018|work=The Independent|date=November 8, 1998|archive-date=May 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513011303/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/interview-matt-damon-the-talented-mr-damon-tries-on-the-emperors-new-clothes-for-size-1183460.html|url-status=live}}</ref> An adaptation of [[Patricia Highsmith]]'s 1955 [[The Talented Mr. Ripley|novel of same name]], the film costarred [[Jude Law]], [[Gwyneth Paltrow]], and [[Cate Blanchett]], and received praise from critics.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Talented Mr. Ripley|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/talented_mr_ripley|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=December 25, 1999 |access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-date=November 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127044634/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/talented_mr_ripley/|url-status=live}}</ref> "Damon outstandingly conveys his character's slide from innocent enthusiasm into cold calculation", according to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/the-talented-mr-ripley-2-1200460048/|title=The Talented Mr. Ripley|access-date=April 21, 2010|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Todd|last=McCarthy|date=December 13, 1999|archive-date=January 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101012254/http://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/the-talented-mr-ripley-2-1200460048/|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[Dogma (film)|Dogma]]'' (1999), he played a [[fallen angel]] who discusses [[popular culture|pop culture]] as intellectual subject matter with Affleck's character.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9507E4D81E3EF937A35753C1A96F958260 | title=Dogma (1999) Movie Review | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=October 4, 1999 |first=Janet |last=Maslin | author-link=Janet Maslin |url-access=subscription | access-date=October 4, 2014 | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006184448/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9507E4D81E3EF937A35753C1A96F958260 | url-status=live }}</ref> The film received generally positive reviews, but proved controversial among religious groups who deemed it blasphemous.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Caro|first1=Mark|title=A Practicing Catholic On The Religious Storm Of 'Dogma'|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/11/07/a-practicing-catholic-on-the-religious-storm-of-dogma/|access-date=May 12, 2018|work=The Chicago Tribune|date=November 7, 1999|archive-date=February 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225104356/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-11-07/news/9911070455_1_jason-mewes-and-smith-dogma-catholic-league|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2000–2008: Worldwide recognition ===
In 2000, Damon, Affleck, and producers [[Chris Moore (film producer)|Chris Moore]] and [[Sean Bailey]] founded the production company [[LivePlanet]] to create the [[Emmy]]-nominated documentary series ''[[Project Greenlight]],'' which aimed to find and fund worthwhile film projects from novice filmmakers.<ref name="PPGreenlight">{{cite news |date=August 12, 2002 |title='Greenlight' gets green light |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-greenlight-get/157909731/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |page=D-8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/project-greenlight | title=Project Greenlight | publisher=Emmys | access-date=October 4, 2014 | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006210320/http://www.emmys.com/shows/project-greenlight | url-status=live }}</ref> Among the company's projects was the short-lived mystery-hybrid series ''[[Push, Nevada]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Push, Nevada' deserves a push |newspaper=Saint Paul Pioneer Press |location=St. Paul, Minnesota | publisher=McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |via=[[HighBeam Research]] | url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-120209355.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323022034/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-120209355.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 23, 2015 |date=August 26, 2002 | access-date=October 4, 2014 }}</ref>

[[File:Matt Damon 2001.jpg|thumb|upright|Damon in 2001]]

Damon's attempts at leading characters in romantic dramas such as 2000's ''[[All the Pretty Horses (film)|All the Pretty Horses]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Bagger Vance]]'' were commercially and critically unsuccessful.<ref name="bomojo"/> ''Variety'' said of his work in ''All the Pretty Horses'': "[Damon] just doesn't quite seem like a young man who's spent his life amidst the dust and dung of a Texas cattle ranch. Nor does he strike any sparks with [[Penélope Cruz|[Penelope] Cruz]]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/all-the-pretty-horses-2-1200465856/|title=All the Pretty Horses|access-date=March 1, 2020|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Todd|last=McCarthy|date=December 13, 2000|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301235345/https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/all-the-pretty-horses-2-1200465856/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was similarly deemed "uncomfortable being the center" of [[Robert Redford]]'s ''The Legend of Bagger Vance'' by Peter Rainer of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rainer, Peter|url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/reviews/4029/|title=Par for the Course|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=November 13, 2000 |access-date=August 11, 2018|archive-date=August 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811163004/http://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/reviews/4029/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During this period, Damon joined two lucrative film series—''[[Ocean's Trilogy]]'' (2001–2007) and ''[[Bourne (film series)|Bourne]]'' (2002–2016)—and produced the television series ''[[Project Greenlight]]'' (2001–2005, 2015). He co-starred as thief Linus Caldwell in the former's first installment, [[Steven Soderbergh]]'s 2001 ensemble film ''[[Ocean's Eleven]]'', a remake of the [[Rat Pack]]'s ''[[Ocean's 11]]'' (1960).<ref name="People - Bio"/> The role was originally meant for [[Mark Wahlberg]], who refused it in favor of other projects.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hines|first1=Ree|title=Wahlberg disses Clooney's 'Ocean's' films|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/wahlberg-disses-clooney-s-ocean-s-films-wbna25200092|access-date=May 13, 2018|work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]|date=June 17, 2008|archive-date=May 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514065013/https://www.today.com/popculture/wahlberg-disses-clooney-s-ocean-s-films-wbna25200092|url-status=live}}</ref> The film grossed $450 million on a budget of $83 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ocean's Eleven (2001)|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oceanseleven.htm|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=May 13, 2018|archive-date=May 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520115811/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oceanseleven.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Damon, alongside Affleck and others, produced the documentary series ''Project Greenlight'', aired on [[HBO]] and later [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]], which helped newcomers develop their first film. The series was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program]] in 2002, 2004, and 2005.<ref>{{cite news|first=Louise A. |last=Barile |url=https://people.com/celebrity/ben-matt-to-give-second-greenlight/|title=Ben & Matt To Give Second 'Greenlight' |access-date=March 1, 2020|date=August 21, 2002 |work=People |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417034733/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C624578%2C00.html |archive-date=April 17, 2008 }}</ref> Damon later said that he and Affleck felt proud that the show helped launch the careers of several directors; Damon later served as the executive producer of a number of projects directed by the winners of the show.<ref name="THR">{{cite news|last1=Ng|first1=Philiana|title=HBO Reviving 'Project Greenlight' With Ben Affleck, Matt Damon|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hbo-reviving-project-greenlight-ben-700165|access-date=May 13, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 30, 2014|archive-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012072006/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hbo-reviving-project-greenlight-ben-700165|url-status=live}}</ref>

Damon began 2002 with writing and starring in ''[[Gerry (2002 film)|Gerry]]'', a drama about two friends who forget to bring water and food when they go hiking in a desert. The reviews for the film were generally positive, but it was a box-office failure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gerry (2002)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gerry/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=February 14, 2003 |access-date=May 15, 2018|archive-date=November 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129211537/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gerry/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bourne">{{cite news|last=Hiscock|first=John|title=Matt Damon on marriage, gun control, and why Hollywood thought The Bourne Identity would flop|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/07/25/matt-damon-on-marriage-gun-control-and-why-hollywood-thought-the/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/07/25/matt-damon-on-marriage-gun-control-and-why-hollywood-thought-the/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=May 18, 2018|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=July 25, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He then played [[amnesia]]c assassin [[Jason Bourne]] in [[Doug Liman]]'s action thriller ''[[The Bourne Identity (2002 film)|The Bourne Identity]]'' (2002). Liman considered several actors for the role before he cast Damon.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hanrahan|first1=Denise|title=BBC - Films - interview - Doug Liman|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/09/05/doug_liman_the_bourne_identity_interview.shtml|access-date=May 18, 2018|work=BBC|archive-date=January 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109151909/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/09/05/doug_liman_the_bourne_identity_interview.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Damon insisted on performing many of the stunts himself, undergoing three months of extensive training in stunt work, the use of weapons, boxing, and [[eskrima]].<ref name="DVDDocumentary">'The Birth of the Bourne Identity' DVD Making of Documentary (2003).</ref> Damon said that before ''The Bourne Identity'' he was jobless for six months, and many of his films during that period under-performed at the box-office. He doubted the film's financial prospects, but it proved a commercial success.<ref name="bourne"/> Reviews for the film were also positive;<ref>{{cite web|title=The Bourne Identity (2002)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bourne_identity|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=June 14, 2002 |access-date=May 18, 2018|archive-date=May 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521040949/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bourne_identity|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] praised it for its ability to absorb the viewer in its "spycraft" and "Damon's ability to be focused and sincere".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ebert|first1=Roger|title=The Bourne Identity Movie Review (2002)|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-bourne-identity-2002|access-date=May 18, 2018|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=June 17, 2002|archive-date=May 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519033039/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-bourne-identity-2002|url-status=live}}</ref> For his role, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named Damon among "the decade's best mixer of brawn and brains."<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Thom Geier |author2=Jeff Jensen |author3=Tina Jordan |display-authors=etal |date=December 11, 2009|title=The 100 Greatest Movies, TV Shows, Albums, Books, Characters, Scenes, Episodes, Songs, Dresses, Music Videos, And Trends That Entertained Us Over The Past 10 Years|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|page=(1079/1080):74–84}}</ref>

[[File:MattDamonBU.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Damon attending an event for ''[[The Bourne Ultimatum (film)|The Bourne Ultimatum]]'' in 2007]]

Damon voiced the role of Spirit in the animated film ''[[Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron]]'' (2002) and later played a [[conjoined twin]] in ''[[Stuck on You (film)|Stuck on You]]'' (2003), which received a mixed critical reception.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stuck_on_you/|title=Stuck on You reviews|access-date=April 21, 2010|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=December 12, 2003 |archive-date=April 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407230454/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stuck_on_you/|url-status=live}}</ref> His major releases in 2004 included starring roles in the sequels ''[[The Bourne Supremacy (film)|The Bourne Supremacy]]'' and ''[[Ocean's Twelve]]''. Both films earned more than $280 million at the box-office.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Bourne Supremacy (2004) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bournesupremacy.htm |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=August 17, 2018 |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706071530/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bournesupremacy.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ocean's Twelve (2004) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Oceans-Twelve#tab=summary |publisher=The Numbers |access-date=August 17, 2018 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613015008/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Oceans-Twelve#tab=summary |url-status=live }}</ref> In a review for ''The Bourne Supremacy'', [[BBC]]'s Nev Pierce called the film "a brisk, engrossing and intelligent thriller", adding, "Damon is one hell of an action hero. He does a lot with very little, imbuing his limited dialogue with both rage and sorrow, looking harder and more haunted as the picture progresses".<ref>{{cite web |last=Pierce |first=Nev |title=BBC Gloucestershire Films - The Bourne Supremacy Review |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/films/reviews/a_f/bourne_supremacy.shtml |publisher=BBC |access-date=August 17, 2018 |date=August 12, 2004 |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818100942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/films/reviews/a_f/bourne_supremacy.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> For the film, he earned an [[Empire Award for Best Actor]]; the award's presenter ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' attributed Damon's win to his "astute, underplayed performance, through which he totally eschews movie star vanity".<ref>{{cite news |title=Winners Best Actor |url=https://www.empireonline.com/awards2005/winners/actor.asp |access-date=August 17, 2018 |work=Empire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021031426/http://www.empireonline.com/awards2005/winners/actor.asp |archive-date=October 21, 2012}}</ref> He played a fictionalized version of [[Wilhelm Grimm]] alongside [[Heath Ledger]] in [[Terry Gilliam]]'s fantasy adventure ''[[The Brothers Grimm (film)|The Brothers Grimm]]'' (2005), which was a critically panned commercial failure;<ref name="bomojo"/> ''The Washington Post'' concluded, "Damon, constantly flashing his newscaster's teeth and flaunting a fake, '[[Masterpiece Theatre]]' dialect, comes across like someone who got lost on the way to an audition for a high school production of ''[[The Pirates of Penzance]]''."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2005/08/26/a-disappointingly-grimm-tale/ebd09935-5802-4212-b474-1d3080405c7b/|title=A Disappointingly 'Grimm' Tale|access-date=March 1, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Michael|last=O'Sullivan|date=August 26, 2005|archive-date=March 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302001431/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2005/08/26/a-disappointingly-grimm-tale/ebd09935-5802-4212-b474-1d3080405c7b/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Later in 2005, he appeared as an [[Energy analysis|energy analyst]] in the geopolitical thriller ''[[Syriana]]'' alongside [[George Clooney]] and [[Jeffrey Wright]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Lisa|last=Schwarzbaum|url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/23/ew.mov.syriana/index.html|title=EW review: 'Syriana' lacks humanity|access-date=March 1, 2020|date=November 23, 2005|work=CNN|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301235347/https://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/23/ew.mov.syriana/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film focuses on [[petroleum politics]] and the global influence of the oil industry. Damon says starring in the film broadened his understanding of the oil industry and that he hoped the people would talk about the film afterward.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=September 16, 2012 |title='Syriana' {{!}} Unscripted {{!}} Matt Damon, George Clooney|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7hSCA0Jh98 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211027/G7hSCA0Jh98| archive-date=October 27, 2021|access-date=August 18, 2018|publisher=[[Moviefone]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' was mainly impressed with Clooney's acting, but also found Damon's performance "whiplash".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Travers |first1=Peter |title=Syriana |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/syriana-90496/ |access-date=August 17, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 17, 2005 |archive-date=August 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817161506/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/syriana-90496/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, Damon joined [[Robert De Niro]] in ''[[The Good Shepherd (film)|The Good Shepherd]]'' as a career [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agent, and played an undercover [[mobster]] working for the [[Massachusetts State Police]] in [[Martin Scorsese]]'s ''[[The Departed]]'', a remake of the Hong Kong police thriller ''[[Infernal Affairs]]''.<ref name="People - Bio"/> Assessing his work in the two films, [[Manohla Dargis]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that Damon has the unique "ability to recede into a film while also being fully present, a recessed intensity, that distinguishes how he holds the screen."<ref name="NYT06">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/10/movies/moviesspecial/10darg.html |url-access=subscription |title=The Boyish Mr. Damon, Not So Boyish After All|access-date=April 21, 2010|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Manohla|last=Dargis|date=September 10, 2006|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006124231/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/10/movies/moviesspecial/10darg.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Departed'' received critical acclaim and won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/departed/|title=The Departed reviews|access-date=April 21, 2010|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=October 6, 2006 |archive-date=November 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118005417/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/departed/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|[[Box Office Mojo]] ranked it seventh amongst his films.<ref name="bomojo">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=mattdamon.htm|title=Box Office Mojo – Matt Damon|access-date=April 21, 2010|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=April 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405074109/http://boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=mattdamon.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>|group="nb"}}

According to ''[[Forbes]]'' in August 2007, Damon was the most bankable star of the actors reviewed, his last three films at that time averaged US$29 at the box office for every dollar he earned.<ref name="ForbesPayback">{{cite news|last=Pomerantz|first=Dorothy|work=[[Forbes]]|title=Ultimate Star Payback|url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/08/03/celebrities-hollywood-movies-biz-cz_dp_0806starpayback.html|date=August 6, 2007|access-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093033/http://www.forbes.com/2007/08/03/celebrities-hollywood-movies-biz-cz_dp_0806starpayback.html|url-status=live|archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> Two of his major releases in 2007 were the films ''[[Ocean's Thirteen]]'' and [[The Bourne Ultimatum (film)|''The Bourne Ultimatum'']], which were the third installments of their respective film series. Both films earned more than $300 million at the box-office.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ocean's Thirteen(2007) - Financial Information |url=https://www.https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Oceans-Thirteen#tab=summary |publisher=The Numbers |access-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021122315/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Oceans-Thirteen#tab=summary |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bourneultimatum.htm |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=August 16, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707110915/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bourneultimatum.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Damon had an uncredited cameo in [[Francis Ford Coppola]]'s ''[[Youth Without Youth (film)|Youth Without Youth]]'' (2007) and another [[Cameo appearance|cameo]] in the 2008 [[Che Guevara]] biopic ''[[Che (2008 film)|Che]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Weissberg|first=Jay|title=Review: 'Youth Without Youth'|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/youth-without-youth-2-1200555232/|access-date=August 7, 2016|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 20, 2007|archive-date=June 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604135957/http://variety.com/2007/film/awards/youth-without-youth-2-1200555232/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Salto|first=Stephen|title=The Curious Camerography of Matt Damon|work=IFC |url=http://www.ifc.com/2009/01/the-curious-cameography-of-mat|publisher=[[IFC (American TV network)|IFC]]|access-date=August 7, 2016|date=January 8, 2009|archive-date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427001257/http://www.ifc.com/2009/01/the-curious-cameography-of-mat|url-status=live}}</ref> While he was working on the ''Bourne'' films, Damon declined an offer from [[James Cameron]] to star in his upcoming film ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]'', as he did not want to break his ''Bourne'' contract. Cameron offered Damon 10% of the profits for the film, which went on to become the most successful of all time. Damon said later: "I will go down in history… you will never meet an actor who turned down more money."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kemp |first=Sam |date=February 25, 2023 |title=Matt Damon names the biggest mistake of his career |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/matt-damon-biggest-mistake-of-career/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=[[Far Out (magazine)|Far Out]] |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226160234/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/matt-damon-biggest-mistake-of-career/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2009–2019: Established actor ===
[[File:Matt Damon 2009 Venice Film Festival.jpg|thumb|upright|Damon attending an event for ''[[The Informant!]]'' at the [[2009 Venice International Film Festival]]]]

He made a guest appearance in 2009 on the sixth-season finale of ''[[Entourage (American TV series)|Entourage]]'' as himself, where he tries to pressure [[Vincent Chase]] ([[Adrian Grenier]]) into donating to his real foundation ''ONEXONE''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/tv/matt-damon-fundraises-on-entourage/|title=Matt Damon Fundraises on ''Entourage''|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M.|date=July 13, 2009|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=March 1, 2020|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301235345/https://people.com/tv/matt-damon-fundraises-on-entourage/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2009/10/11/we-hear-tom-werner-katy-davis-matt-damon-more/|title=We Hear: Tom Werner, Katy Davis, Matt Damon & more...|date=October 11, 2009|work=[[Boston Herald]]|access-date=March 1, 2020|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301235349/https://www.bostonherald.com/2009/10/11/we-hear-tom-werner-katy-davis-matt-damon-more/|url-status=live}}</ref> His next role was Steven Soderbergh's dark comedy ''[[The Informant!]]'' (2009),<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/21/theinformant.soderbergh/index.html|title=Damon's weighty role in comedy 'The Informant!'|last=Corliss|first=Richard|date=September 17, 2009|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=March 1, 2020|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301235346/https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/21/theinformant.soderbergh/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in which his Golden Globe-nominated work was described by ''Entertainment Weekly'' as such: "The star – who has quietly and steadily turned into a great Everyman actor – is in nimble control as he reveals his character's deep crazies."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/09/16/informant-2/|title=The Informant|access-date=March 1, 2020|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=September 16, 2009|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006094042/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20304807,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2009, Damon portrayed [[South Africa national rugby union team]] captain [[Francois Pienaar|François Pienaar]] in the [[Clint Eastwood]]-directed film ''[[Invictus (film)|Invictus]]'', which is based on the 2008 [[John Carlin (journalist)|John Carlin]] book ''Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation'' and features [[Morgan Freeman]] as [[Nelson Mandela]].<ref name="HumanFactor">{{cite news|last=Leys|first=Nick|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/damon-tackles-rugby-in-flick/story-e6frfkp9-1111119134336|title=Matt Damon takes rugby union to Hollywood|work=news.com.au|access-date=October 10, 2014|date=March 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018203642/http://www.news.com.au/national/damon-tackles-rugby-in-flick/story-e6frfkp9-1111119134336|url-status=live|archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> ''Invictus'' earned Damon an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. ''[[The New Republic]]'' observed that he brought "it off with low-key charm and integrity."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-plank/the-mini-review-invictus|title=The Mini-Review: 'Invictus'|access-date=April 21, 2010|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|archive-date=December 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216072922/http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-plank/the-mini-review-invictus|url-status=live}}</ref> Damon also lent his voice to the English version of the animated film ''[[Ponyo]]'', which was released in the United States in August 2009.<ref name="PonyoVoice">{{cite news|last=Child|first=Ben|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/nov/27/hayaomiyazaki|title=English-language cast announced for Miyazaki's Ponyo on the Cliff|publisher=[[guardian.co.uk]]|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=April 5, 2009|date=November 27, 2008|location=London|archive-date=September 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930144632/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/nov/27/hayaomiyazaki|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2010, Damon and Ben Affleck collaborated once again to create another production company titled [[Pearl Street Films]], a [[Warner Bros.]]-based production company.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/08/29/jennifer-todd-joins-pearl-street-films-as-president/ | title=Jennifer Todd Joins Pearl Street Films as President | date=August 29, 2012 | author=Lisa Foreman | newspaper=Chicago Tribune | access-date=October 4, 2014 | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101754/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-29/news/sns-rt-ben-affleck-jennifer-toddmt1thewrap54051-20120829_1_cbs-films-affleck-and-damon-jennifer-todd | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="USAToday10">{{cite news|first=Donna|last=Freydkin|title=Busy actor, father Matt Damon is in the 'Green Zone'|work=[[USA Today]]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-03-11-Damon11_ST_N.htm|date=March 11, 2010|access-date=March 14, 2010|archive-date=March 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314111503/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-03-11-Damon11_ST_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, he reunited with director Paul Greengrass, who directed him in the ''Bourne Supremacy'' and ''Bourne Ultimatum'', for the action thriller ''[[Green Zone (film)|Green Zone]]'', which flopped commercially<ref name=corliss>{{cite magazine|last=Corliss|first=Richard|title=Alice turns Damon a sickly Green|url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1971941,00.html|date=March 14, 2010|access-date=March 1, 2020|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301235347/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1971941,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and received a score of 53% on Rotten Tomatoes and ambivalent reception from critics.<ref name="green zone reviews">{{cite web|url=http://au.rottentomatoes.com/m/1202804-green_zone/ |title=Green Zone Movie Reviews|work=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=April 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407221346/http://au.rottentomatoes.com/m/1202804-green_zone/ |archive-date=April 7, 2010 }}</ref> He appeared as a guest star in an episode of ''[[Arthur (TV series)|Arthur]]'', titled "The Making of Arthur", as himself.<ref name="Animation"/> During season 5 of ''[[30 Rock]]'', he appeared as a guest star in the role of [[Liz Lemon]]'s boyfriend in the episodes "[[I Do Do]]", "[[The Fabian Strategy]]", "[[Live Show]]", and "[[Double-Edged Sword (30 Rock)|Double-edged Sword]]". Damon's 2010 projects included Clint Eastwood's ''[[Hereafter (film)|Hereafter]]'' and the [[Coen brothers]]' remake of the [[True Grit (1969 film)|1969 John Wayne-starring]] Western ''[[True Grit (2010 film)|True Grit]]''.<ref name="collider 2010 interview">{{cite web |title=Matt Damon talks Future Projects, Oscars and Directing His First Feature |url=https://www.collider.com/2010/02/27/matt-damon-talks-future-projects-oscars-and-directing-his-first-feature-info-on-the-coen-brothers-true-grit-the-rfk-project-with-gary-ross-clint-eastwoods-hereafter-liberace-contagion-more/ |first=Steve |last=Weintraub |work=collider.com |date=February 27, 2010 |access-date=March 5, 2010 |archive-date=March 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303111633/http://www.collider.com/2010/02/27/matt-damon-talks-future-projects-oscars-and-directing-his-first-feature-info-on-the-coen-brothers-true-grit-the-rfk-project-with-gary-ross-clint-eastwoods-hereafter-liberace-contagion-more |url-status=live }}</ref> He also narrated ''[[Inside Job (2010 film)|Inside Job]]'', a documentary film about the effects of financial deregulation in the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2010/05/is_matt_damons_narration_of_a.html |title=Is Matt Damon's Narration of a Cannes Doc a Sign that Hollywood is Abandoning Obama? |first=Logan |last=Hill |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |date=May 16, 2010 |access-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819221334/https://www.vulture.com/2010/05/is_matt_damons_narration_of_a.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010, he was one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, ranking 37th.<ref name="The Numbers">{{cite web|publisher=The Numbers|title=All Time Top 100 Stars at the Domestic Box Office|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/people/records/|access-date=October 10, 2014|archive-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825163052/http://www.the-numbers.com/people/records/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, he starred in ''[[The Adjustment Bureau]]'', ''[[Contagion (2011 film)|Contagion]]'', and ''[[We Bought a Zoo (film)|We Bought a Zoo]]''. That same year, the documentary which he narrated, ''American Teacher'', opened in New York before national screening.<ref name=Docu>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Anna M.|title=Film Examines the Challenging Economics Facing Teachers|url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/302378-do-teachers-have-it-made-hardly-a-new-film-says/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 24, 2011|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 24, 2011|archive-date=August 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814091657/http://www.wnyc.org/story/302378-do-teachers-have-it-made-hardly-a-new-film-says/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2011, he voiced a [[krill]] named Bill in the animated film ''[[Happy Feet Two]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/movies/happy-feet-two-with-brad-pitt-matt-damon-and-elijah-wood-review.html|title=A Search for Self-Discovery, Two Left Feet and All |work=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 4, 2014|date=November 17, 2011|archive-date=October 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024073758/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/movies/happy-feet-two-with-brad-pitt-matt-damon-and-elijah-wood-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2012, Damon signed a multiyear deal to be the voice of [[TD Ameritrade]] advertisements, replacing [[Sam Waterston]] as the discount brokerage's spokesman. Damon donated all fees from the advertisements to charity.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mattdamon-tdameritrade-idUSTRE8081Q120120109 | work=Reuters | title=Matt Damon new voice of TD Ameritrade | date=January 9, 2012 | access-date=July 5, 2021 | archive-date=February 3, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203114410/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mattdamon-tdameritrade-idUSTRE8081Q120120109 | url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2012, Damon filmed ''[[Promised Land (2012 film)|Promised Land]]'', directed by [[Gus Van Sant]], which Damon co-wrote with [[John Krasinski]].<ref name=dl120201>{{cite news | url = https://deadline.com/2012/02/focus-participant-acquire-matt-damonjohn-krasinski-film-gus-van-sant-directing-224414/ | title = Focus, Participant Acquire Matt Damon/John Krasinski Film; Gus Van Sant Directing | first = Mike | last = Fleming | date = February 1, 2012 | work = [[Deadline Hollywood]] | access-date = April 17, 2020 | archive-date = February 11, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140211221407/http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/focus-participant-acquire-matt-damonjohn-krasinski-film-gus-van-sant-directing/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rittmeyer|first=Brian C.|url=http://triblive.com/news/1845285-74/damon-adkins-apollo-matt-movie-street-nice-former-krasinski-promised#axzz2737LZmL4|title=Fan-friendly actors take time for photos, say hello|work=Triblive News|date=May 22, 2012|access-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603122230/http://triblive.com/news/1845285-74/damon-adkins-apollo-matt-movie-street-nice-former-krasinski-promised|archive-date=June 3, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gerhardt|first=Tina|date=December 31, 2012|title=Matt Damon Exposes Fracking in Promised Land|url=http://www.progressive.org/matt-damon-exposes-fracking-in-promised-land|work=[[The Progressive]]|access-date=December 31, 2012|archive-date=August 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826055310/http://www.progressive.org/matt-damon-exposes-fracking-in-promised-land|url-status=live}}</ref> Damon's next film with frequent collaborator Steven Soderbergh was ''[[Behind the Candelabra]]'', a drama about the life of pianist/entertainer [[Liberace]] (played by [[Michael Douglas]]) with Damon playing Liberace's longtime partner [[Scott Thorson]]. The film premiered on [[Home Box Office|HBO]] on May 26, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Douglas To Play Liberace |url=https://people.com/movies/michael-douglas-to-play-liberace/ |first=Peter |last=Mikelbank |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=September 15, 2009 |access-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301235349/https://people.com/movies/michael-douglas-to-play-liberace/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Matt Damon 2014.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Damon at the French premiere of ''[[The Monuments Men]]'' in 2014]]

Damon starred in the science fiction film ''[[Elysium (film)|Elysium]]'' (2013), where he played former car-thief-turned-factory-worker Max DeCosta.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=''Elysium'': A Slick Dystopian Ride That Goes Off the Rails|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/08/elysium-movie-review/|access-date=August 9, 2013|first=Angela|last=Watercutter|magazine=Wired|date=August 9, 2013|archive-date=April 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408060629/http://www.wired.com/2013/08/elysium-movie-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appeared in the science fiction movie ''[[The Zero Theorem]]'' in 2013, directed by [[Terry Gilliam]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/19/movies/christoph-waltz-drowns-in-technocracy-in-the-zero-theorem.html|title=Work, Love and Therapy, in So Many Bytes |first=A.O. |last=Scott |author-link=A.O. Scott|date=September 18, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 4, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006121050/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/19/movies/christoph-waltz-drowns-in-technocracy-in-the-zero-theorem.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year, Damon appeared in a 20-second advertisement for [[Nespresso]], directed by [[Grant Heslov]], with whom he worked on ''[[The Monuments Men]]''. The deal earned him $3 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Matt Damon was paid $3 million for a 20 second Nespresso commercial|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/matt-damon-was-paid-3-million-for-a-20-second-nespresso-commercial/news-story/d3e7a2471d3a5f2dd59e70a7d582ee03|work=news.com.au|access-date=May 22, 2019|date=November 11, 2013|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819235433/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/matt-damon-was-paid-3-million-for-a-20-second-nespresso-commercial/news-story/d3e7a2471d3a5f2dd59e70a7d582ee03|url-status=live}}</ref> Damon also provided voice-over for [[United Airlines]]' resurrected "Fly the Friendly Skies" advertisement campaign in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Watch the Spot: United Resurrects 'Fly the Friendly Skies'|url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/united-resurrects-fly-friendly-skies/244277/|work=Advertising Age|access-date=June 4, 2015|date=September 20, 2013|archive-date=February 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227082450/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/united-resurrects-fly-friendly-skies/244277/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, he starred in [[George Clooney]]'s ''[[The Monuments Men]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/19/george-clooney-monuments-men-ignores-british-hero|title=George Clooney's Nazi art theft film attacked for ignoring real-life British war hero|date=January 18, 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=October 4, 2014|author=Robin Stummer|archive-date=October 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009040001/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/19/george-clooney-monuments-men-ignores-british-hero|url-status=live}}</ref> and played the minor role of scientist Dr. Mann in [[Christopher Nolan]]'s ''[[Interstellar (film)|Interstellar]]''. That same year, Damon appeared as a celebrity correspondent for ''[[Years of Living Dangerously]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://yearsoflivingdangerously.com/correspondent/matt-damon/|title=Years of Living Dangerously Correspondent Page|access-date=June 17, 2016|archive-date=March 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317102807/http://yearsoflivingdangerously.com/correspondent/matt-damon/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Damon portrayed the main character, astronaut Mark Watney, in [[Ridley Scott]]'s ''[[The Martian (film)|The Martian]]'', based on [[Andy Weir (writer)|Andy Weir]]'s bestselling novel [[The Martian (Weir novel)|of the same name]], a role that earned him the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]] and his second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Having not returned for the fourth film in the [[Bourne film series|''Bourne'' film series]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Weintraub|first=Steve|title=Matt Damon Interview – THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM|url=https://collider.com/entertainment/article.asp/aid/4967/cid/13/tcid/1|work=Collider|access-date=August 18, 2012|date=August 27, 2007|archive-date=February 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219141039/http://collider.com/entertainment/article.asp/aid/4967/cid/13/tcid/1|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Owen|title=Definitely No Damon For Bourne Legacy|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/definitely-damon-bourne-legacy/|work=Empire|access-date=March 1, 2020|date=October 11, 2010|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301235345/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/definitely-damon-bourne-legacy/|url-status=live}}</ref> Damon reprised his role in 2016's ''[[Jason Bourne (film)|Jason Bourne]]'', reuniting with Paul Greengrass. In 2017, Damon played the lead role in [[Zhang Yimou]]'s ''[[The Great Wall (film)|The Great Wall]]'', a hit internationally and a disappointment at the domestic box office. The film, and Damon's casting, were not well received by critics.<ref name="FebruaryRelease">{{cite news|last=McNary|first=Dave|title=Matt Damon's 'The Great Wall' Pushed Back to 2017|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/the-great-wall-moved-back-matt-damon-1201709873/|access-date=February 19, 2016|work=Variety|date=February 18, 2016|archive-date=May 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504153423/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/the-great-wall-moved-back-matt-damon-1201709873/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kit|first=Borys|title=Zhang Yimou in Talks to Direct Legendary's 'Great Wall'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zhang-yimou-direct-legendary-great-wall-689250|access-date=September 21, 2014|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 18, 2014|archive-date=August 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826062359/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zhang-yimou-direct-legendary-great-wall-689250|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Zhang Yimou To Scale 'The Great Wall'|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/zhang-yimou-to-scale-the-great-wall-700861/|access-date=September 21, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 18, 2014|archive-date=September 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914004356/http://deadline.com/2014/03/zhang-yimou-to-scale-the-great-wall-700861/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in 2017, he starred in two satires, George Clooney's 1950s-set ''[[Suburbicon]]'', which was released in October,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/toronto-film-festival-2017-margot-robbie-gary-oldman-jake-gyllenhaal-emma-stone-christian-bale-1202135285/ |title=Toronto Film Festival 2017 Unveils Strong Slate |work=Deadline |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 25, 2017 |archive-date=July 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727162146/http://deadline.com/2017/07/toronto-film-festival-2017-margot-robbie-gary-oldman-jake-gyllenhaal-emma-stone-christian-bale-1202135285/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Alexander Payne]]'s comedy ''[[Downsizing (film)|Downsizing]]'', which was released in December.<ref>{{cite web|title=Matt Damon downsizing with Alexander Payne|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=November 6, 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/06/matt-damon-downsizing-alexander-payne|access-date=January 7, 2015|archive-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413060420/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/06/matt-damon-downsizing-alexander-payne|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2018, he portrayed jurist [[Brett Kavanaugh]] on the late night sketch series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.npr.org/2018/09/30/653062763/matt-damon-is-a-sniffing-shouting-brett-kavanaugh-on-snl-season-premiere|title= Matt Damon Is A Sniffing, Shouting Brett Kavanaugh On 'SNL' Season Premiere|website= NPR|date= September 30, 2018|access-date= August 10, 2023|archive-date= August 10, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230810232047/https://www.npr.org/2018/09/30/653062763/matt-damon-is-a-sniffing-shouting-brett-kavanaugh-on-snl-season-premiere|url-status= live|last1= Doubek|first1= James}}</ref> In 2019, Damon portrayed [[Carroll Shelby]] in the action biographical drama ''[[Ford v Ferrari]]'', directed by [[James Mangold]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Krok |first=Andrew |title=Ford v Ferrari trailer puts Matt Damon in Carroll Shelby's shoes, Christian Bale in the driver's seat |url=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/ford-v-ferrari-trailer-1966-le-mans-matt-damon-carroll-shelby-christian-bale-ken-miles/ |website=CNet |date=June 3, 2019 |access-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701145049/https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/ford-v-ferrari-trailer-1966-le-mans-matt-damon-carroll-shelby-christian-bale-ken-miles/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2021–present: Continued positive critical reception ===
{{as of |2021}}, [[Matt Damon filmography|the films in which he had appeared]] had collectively earned over $3.88 billion at the North American box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.the-numbers.com/person/550401-Matt-Damon |title=Matt Damon |website=m.the-numbers.com |access-date=July 26, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501071711/https://m.the-numbers.com/person/550401-Matt-Damon }}</ref> In 2021, Damon starred in [[Tom McCarthy (director)|Tom McCarthy]]'s [[crime films|crime drama]] ''[[Stillwater (film)|Stillwater]]'', playing an unemployed [[oil rig]] worker from Oklahoma who sets out with a French woman to prove his convicted daughter's innocence. The film had its world premiere at the [[2021 Cannes Film Festival]]. [[IndieWire]] praised Damon's performance as "graced with a quiet softness that offsets the sheer volume of the character he's playing".<ref>{{cite web |last=Ehrlich |first=David |date=July 8, 2021 |title='Stillwater' Review: Matt Damon Is a Dad on a Mission in Tom McCarthy's Affecting Turducken of a Movie |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/07/stillwater-review-matt-damon-1234649672/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701225455/https://www.indiewire.com/2021/07/stillwater-review-matt-damon-1234649672/ |archive-date=July 1, 2022 |access-date=July 1, 2022 |publisher=[[IndieWire]]}}</ref> That same year saw the release of the historical drama ''[[The Last Duel (2021 film)|The Last Duel]]'', which he starred in and co-wrote alongside [[Ben Affleck]]. The film, set in [[medieval France]] and based on the [[The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France|book of the same name]], focuses on the true story of a knight, [[Jean de Carrouges]], portrayed by Damon, who challenges his former friend to a [[judicial duel]] after he's accused of [[raping]] his wife. It premiered at the [[78th Venice International Film Festival]] and earned positive reviews while being a financial failure at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gardner |first=Chris |date=December 15, 2021 |title=Ben Affleck on Why 'The Last Duel' Bombed and What He Thinks of Ridley Scott Blaming Millennials |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ben-affleck-the-last-duel-box-office-1235062522/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701225455/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ben-affleck-the-last-duel-box-office-1235062522/ |archive-date=July 1, 2022 |access-date=July 1, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

In 2023, Damon starred as [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] executive [[Sonny Vaccaro]] in ''[[Air (2023 American film)|Air]]'', a drama film about the launch of [[Air Jordan]], co-starring and directed by Affleck.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ben-affleck-matt-damon-true-life-story-nike-sneaker-man-sonny-vaccaro-1235132424/|title=Ben Affleck, Matt Damon Team for True Life Story of Nike Sneaker Man Sonny Vaccaro (Exclusive)|first=Borys|last=Kitt|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 21, 2022|archive-date=April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421051637/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ben-affleck-matt-damon-true-life-story-nike-sneaker-man-sonny-vaccaro-1235132424/|url-status=live}}</ref> It marked the first release from Affleck and Damon's independent production company, [[Artists Equity]], which they had formed in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barnes|first=Brooks|title=Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to Start Film Production Company|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/business/media/ben-affleck-matt-damon-film-company.html|access-date=November 21, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=subscription |date=November 20, 2022|archive-date=November 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121001744/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/business/media/ben-affleck-matt-damon-film-company.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Damon received praise for the role, earning a nomination for a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Golden Globe Award]]. He also reunited with [[Christopher Nolan]] in the biographical film ''[[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=November 2, 2021|title=Robert Downey Jr. And Matt Damon Latest Stars To Join Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/robert-downey-jr-matt-damon-christopher-nolan-oppenheimer-1234859892/|access-date=November 2, 2021|website=Deadline|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102154342/https://deadline.com/2021/11/robert-downey-jr-matt-damon-christopher-nolan-oppenheimer-1234859892/|url-status=live}}</ref> playing [[Leslie Groves]], the director of the [[Manhattan Project]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=November 2, 2021|title=Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr. Join Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/matt-damon-robert-downey-jr-christopher-nolan-oppenheimer-1235040518/|access-date=November 2, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102160710/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/matt-damon-robert-downey-jr-christopher-nolan-oppenheimer-1235040518/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |date=July 14, 2023 |title="This Can't Be Safe. It's Got to Have Bite": Christopher Nolan and Cast Unleash 'Oppenheimer' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/oppenheimer-christopher-nolan-cast-interview-film-1235535418/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720013003/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/oppenheimer-christopher-nolan-cast-interview-film-1235535418/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was a critical and commercial success, becoming Damon's highest grossing movie.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zemler|first1=Emily|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-08-04/oppenheimer-movie-christopher-nolan-atomic-bomb-hiroshima-nagasaki-critics|title=Critics say omitting the Japanese toll makes 'Oppenheimer' 'morally half-formed'|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url-access=limited|date=August 4, 2023|access-date=August 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804122246/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-08-04/oppenheimer-movie-christopher-nolan-atomic-bomb-hiroshima-nagasaki-critics|archive-date=August 4, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> 

In 2024, Damon starred in and produced ''[[The Instigators]]'', alongside [[Casey Affleck]], for [[Apple TV+]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2022-12-08 |title=Matt Damon & Casey Affleck Set To Star In 'The Instigators'; Doug Liman Directing For Apple Original Films |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/matt-damon-casey-affleck-apple-original-films-the-instigators-doug-liman-1235193043/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> 

Damon will work with Nolan once again on ''[[The Odyssey (2026 film)|The Odyssey]]'', portraying [[Odysseus]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Christopher Nolan's Next Film Is An Adaptation Of Homer's 'The Odyssey,' Universal Reveals |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/christopher-nolan-the-odyssey-confirmed-directors-new-film-universal-1236241340/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223222535/https://deadline.com/2024/12/christopher-nolan-the-odyssey-confirmed-directors-new-film-universal-1236241340/ |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=October 8, 2024|title=Christopher Nolan Sets Next Movie At Universal In Imax For Summer 2026 With Matt Damon Eyed To Star|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/christopher-nolan-new-movie-matt-damon-release-date-1236099940/|access-date=October 8, 2024|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Odysseus">{{cite web |last1=Dunn |first1=Jack |title='The Odyssey' First Look: Matt Damon Is Odysseus in Christopher Nolan's Next Epic |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/the-odyssey-matt-damon-odysseus-christopher-nolan-1236311018/ |access-date=18 February 2025 |website=Variety |date=17 February 2025}}</ref>