Matt Damon once risked making a very awkward request while filming ‘Syriana‘ with George Clooney, all because something huge was happening back home in Boston.
The actor knew movie productions cost millions and schedules are difficult to change, but he still told Clooney he could not work the following week.
George Clooney Knew Matt Damon Better
Back in October 2004, Damon was filming ‘Syriana‘ in Switzerland alongside Clooney, who also served as a producer on the movie. At the same time, the Boston Red Sox had pulled off an incredible comeback against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. After falling behind 0-3, the Red Sox won four straight games and reached the World Series for the first time in 18 years.
For Damon, a lifelong Boston sports fan, missing the World Series was simply not an option. The Red Sox had not won the championship in 86 years, and the actor wanted to fly home from Geneva to watch them play. Still, asking for time off in the middle of a major film shoot was hardly a small request.
As revealed in Amy Poehler’s podcast, Damon finally called Clooney and admitted, “This might be the most unprofessional thing I’ve ever said in my life, but… I can’t work next week.” He may have expected some resistance, but Clooney had already figured out why his co-star needed to leave.
Instead of getting angry, Clooney laughed and gave Damon an answer he clearly did not expect. Recalling Clooney’s words, Damon said, “I already changed the schedule. I know you gotta get home for the World Series.” Clooney had already adjusted the ‘Syriana‘ shooting schedule before Damon even made the request.
Matt Damon Watched The Red Sox End An 86-Year Wait
Damon then flew from Geneva to Boston and attended the opening games of the 2004 World Series, where the Red Sox faced the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals entered the series after a brilliant season with 105 wins, the best record in baseball. Their lineup included Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, and Jim Edmonds, who finished third, fourth, and fifth in MVP voting. Pitchers Chris Carpenter, Matt Morris, and Jason Marquis also recorded 15 wins each, making the Cardinals look like a major threat.
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The World Series, however, belonged completely to Boston. After completing their historic comeback against the Yankees, the Red Sox swept the Cardinals in four games and finally ended the famous “Curse of the Bambino.” The championship marked their first World Series title in 86 years.
Damon got to witness the historic run as a devoted fan, while his longtime best friend Ben Affleck also had plenty to celebrate. In a funny twist years later, Affleck had to wear a Cardinals hat while filming ‘Gone Girl‘, despite his well-known loyalty to Boston.
Matt Damon, now starring in ‘The Odyssey‘, has recently opened up about his decades-long friendship with Ben Affleck, revealing they first met when they were just 10 and 8, before they pursued auditions together as teenagers. More than 40 years later, the childhood friends are still making movies side by side, and Damon says he now wants them to work together as much as possible.
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