Matt Damon has revealed that working with IMAX cameras proved far more challenging than expected while filming The Odyssey, the upcoming epic from director Christopher Nolan.
The film marks a historic milestone as the first major motion picture shot entirely on IMAX cameras. While the format promises an unmatched visual experience, Damon said the production required significant technical adjustments for both the cast and crew.
Speaking about the experience, Damon explained that the cameras were extremely loud. He said the noise made it difficult for actors to hear one another during scenes. He compared the sound to a powerful kitchen appliance operating just inches away.
The actor noted that traditional IMAX cameras have rarely been used for dialogue-heavy scenes. He said the volume made normal conversations impossible during filming, forcing the production team to rethink how to capture such scenes.
Matt Damon is stunned by how Christopher Nolan made #TheOdyssey the first Hollywood movie shot entirely with Imax film cameras.
“Imax cameras are really loud. It sounds like a blender, like a Cuisinart in your face when the camera’s close to you. So there’s never been these… pic.twitter.com/pYbLL99MHN
— Variety (@Variety) January 7, 2026Damon shared further details on the New Heights podcast, hosted by Travis Kelce. He explained that the crew built a special structure around the IMAX cameras for dialogue scenes. The setup included a mirror system that allowed actors to maintain natural eye contact while reducing sound interference.
According to Damon, the production team invested considerable time and effort into solving these challenges. He said the process required constant experimentation to make the technology work without compromising performance.
Read: Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ to Be First Feature Shot Entirely in IMAX
The Odyssey features an ensemble cast that includes Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Mia Goth.
Despite the technical hurdles, Damon suggested the effort was worthwhile, given Nolan’s ambition to push cinematic boundaries. The film adapts Homer’s ancient Greek epic and blends action, fantasy, and large-scale spectacle.
The Odyssey is scheduled for a global theatrical release on July 17, 2026, and is expected to be one of the most visually ambitious films in recent cinema history.
