When superheroes reign supreme, and blockbuster franchises dominate the silver screen, some moments leave fans stunned. One such moment occurred when the versatile and charismatic actor Matt Damon decided to walk away from the opportunity of a lifetime.
Known for his remarkable range and memorable roles, Damon’s journey through Tinseltown has been nothing short of extraordinary. However, a chapter in his career could have unfolded quite differently – a chapter that involved a red suit, the blind vigilante Daredevil, and a decision that could have forever altered the trajectory of superhero cinema.
When Matt Damon Chickened Out of a Role
Daredevil, a superhero from Marvel, is known as the “Man Without Fear.” This nickname suits him well as he patrols the dangerous streets of Hell’s Kitchen in New York, fighting crime and battling his struggles as a blind hero.
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The Netflix series based on Daredevil has received critical acclaim for exploring the character’s complex personality, proving that he can transcend the typical superhero genre. It offers a raw and visceral look into the depths of his character.
In 2003, Matt Damon had the chance to play Daredevil, a character he had a sentimental attachment to due to his childhood love for the comics. His friend Ben Affleck was also involved in the project.
However, when the opportunity arose, Damon hesitated because he was unsure about the director’s work and didn’t want to take risks. In his own words, he said he “chickened out.”
“When that one came along, I chickened out because I couldn’t tell. I hadn’t seen the director’s work and I didn’t know. So I just said, ‘no’. Ben was like, ‘I ‘gotta do it.’”
Matt Damon and his childhood friend Ben Affleck had different perspectives on the opportunity to play Daredevil. While Damon felt uncertain, Affleck saw the financial rewards and the chance to be part of the popular superhero trend.
The actor enthusiastically accepted the challenge, and the resulting film was commercially successful, though critics had other opinions.
“And the movie ended up doing very well, even though I don’t think Ben was ultimately very proud of it. It just kills me. I love that story, that character. And the fact that it got f–ked up the way it did stays with me.”
Affleck expressed regret for his role in Daredevil, as the film’s disappointing outcome tarnished an otherwise impressive career.
Ben Affleck’s Redemption and the Bat-fleck Era
Interestingly, Ben Affleck’s disappointment with his experience playing Daredevil fueled his desire to take on another superhero role. In 2016, he donned the iconic cape and cowl to portray Batman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Affleck’s goal was to redeem himself in the genre that left him feeling unfulfilled. He wanted to demonstrate the potential of a superhero story executed with precision and passion.
“Maybe that was part of the motivation to do Batman.”
Matt Damon’s passion for the superhero genre continues despite the end of his chapter as Daredevil. The actor has also expressed an interest in playing the character again under specific circumstances.
“If Chris Nolan came up to me and said, ‘I want to do Daredevil,’ I would be in.”
As of today, the story of Daredevil continues to progress. Fans and critics alike were impressed by Charlie Cox’s outstanding portrayal of Daredevil in the Netflix series. Now, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has officially announced the production of Daredevil: Born Again, a “soft reboot” that reintroduces Cox’s rendition of the character.
This exciting news promises to connect Daredevil’s past television appearance with his entry into the MCU.
Daredevil: Born Again will be released in 2024 on Disney+.
Source: Variety
