Why did Matt Damon need therapy? Actor says he and his wife sought couples counselling to 'negotiate' role in 'Oppenheimer'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Matt Damon is known for his unwavering work ethic and continuous involvement in various film projects, preferring to keep himself busy in the industry. Over the past couple of years, the versatile actor has taken on multiple roles, starring in movies such as 'Air', 'The Last Duel' and 'Stillwater'. In addition, he made cameo appearances in 'Thor: Love and Thunder' and 'No Sudden Move'.
Despite his packed schedule, Damon had originally expressed his intention to take a break from work. He had even shared this plan with his wife, Luciana Barroso. However, fate had other plans for him when Christopher Nolan reached out to offer him the role of General Leslie Groves in his historical drama-thriller 'Oppenheimer', set to be released on July 21.
Why did Matt Damon need therapy?
In a recent interview, Damon candidly shared how therapy played a pivotal role in his decision-making process, particularly when negotiating his involvement in the upcoming Nolan film. "This is going to sound made up, but it's actually true. I had — not to get too personal — negotiated extensively with my wife that I was taking time off," he told EW.
"I had been in Interstellar, and then Chris put me on ice for a couple of movies, so I wasn't in the rotation, but I actually negotiated in couples therapy — this is a true story — the one caveat to my taking time off was if Chris Nolan called. This is without knowing whether or not he was working on anything, because he never tells you. He just calls you out of the blue. And so, it was a moment in my household," Damon added.
Damon and Barroso have shared a beautiful journey together since they first met in a bar and began dating two years before tying the knot in 2005. Over the course of almost two decades of their marriage, they had four daughters, Alexia, 24, Isabella, 17, Gia, 14, and Stella, 12.
'I fell into a depression'
Damon has been candid about the challenges he faces with his busy movie schedule. He has acknowledged that film productions often run longer than initially anticipated, which can disrupt family expectations and plans. "Without naming any particular movies, sometimes you find yourself in a movie that you know, perhaps, might not be what you had hoped it would be, and you’re still making it," the father-of-four said during an on-camera interview, adding, "And I remember halfway through production and you’ve still got months to go and you’ve taken your family somewhere, you know, and you’ve inconvenienced them, and I remember my wife pulling me up because I fell into a depression about like, what have I done?"