Matt DamonandBen Affleck’s bond is deeper than ever.
TheOppenheimeractor, 52, is the newest guest on the upcoming installment ofSunday TODAY with Willie Geist, which marks the television journalist’s 300th original Sunday sit-down interview.
PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the chat betweenWillie Geistand Damon, the latter of whom opens up about how thedynamic between him and Affleck, 50, has evolved over the decades they’ve worked together.
“Great directors really give you the freedom … it’s a collaboration, it’s a partnership,” he explained. “You’re kind of attacking a problem together and you’re bringing your ideas, and if [a director is] good, they’re receptive to [those ideas].”
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As for the “shorthand” he and Affleck — with whom he won a Best Original ScreenplayOscarforGood Will Hunting25 years ago—have on set, Damon said, “What’s really great is there’s no diplomacy.”
But in Affleck and Damon’s case, “We can just say, ‘You suck,’ " Damon joked, laughing. “Which is really a gift because you get through the bulls— faster and you go, ‘How do we fix it?’ "
“Just tell me I’ve overacting, you know what I mean?” he added later.
Matt Damon (L) onSunday TODAY with Willie Geist.Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist!
Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist!
WhileAirmarked the first time Affleck has directed Damon on a feature film, it wasn’t the first time in general — in fact, Affleck’s coaching of his best friend goes way back.
During a Q&A following a screening of the film in New York City in March, Affleck joked of Damon, “It’s not the first time I’vecarriedhim!”, according toIndieWire.
“It mightseemlike the first time he’s directed me,” said Damon with a laugh, adding, “I mean,we did high-school playswhere he was like, ‘Dude, I think you should do it like this.’ "
“He’s been directing me for like 40-something years,” Damon noted.
Sunday TODAYwith Willie Geistairs Sundays on NBC at 8 a.m. ET. Catch his 300th original Sunday sit-down interview, with Damon, this weekend.
Oppenheimerblasts into theaters July 21.
source: people.com
