Matt Damon's 4-Foot-5 Stunt Double Devyn Dalton: The Secret Weapon Behind 'The Odyssey'

Why this matters: Stunt performers are often the invisible backbone of cinema. Dalton's recognition highlights a growing movement to shine a light on the women and men who risk their bodies to create unforgettable movie moments. For audiences, it adds a new layer of appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every epic scene.

The Secret Behind the Giants

One of *The Odyssey*'s most talked-about sequences — the battle with the Laestrygonians — was achieved without excessive CGI. Nolan employed a clever low-to-high camera angle technique, pairing Dalton's small frame against 7-foot stuntmen in armor to create the illusion of colossal giants. Dalton herself described the technique as "movie magic."

A Career Built on Trust

Dalton got her start in 2011 playing the motion-capture role of Cornelia in *Rise of the Planet of the Apes*, undergoing three weeks of intensive "ape training." She continued in the franchise, playing Cornelius in *War for the Planet of the Apes*. Her background in dance, boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, sword fighting, and weapons work makes her a uniquely versatile performer. "Physically, I'm always ready to go because you get the phone call and have to be ready," she told the New York Post. "Sometimes you only get a week's notice."

Damon's Physical Transformation

While Dalton handled the action, Damon himself underwent a grueling transformation. The actor dropped from 185–200 pounds to just 167 pounds — a weight he hadn't been since high school — through an intense training regimen and a strict gluten-free diet. Speaking on the *New Heights* podcast, Damon recalled Nolan telling him the film would be "really hard" — and the actor admitted it was "definitely the hardest movie I've ever done."

Impact on the Industry

Dalton hopes her visibility will pave the way for more stuntwomen. "There's been a lot of women who have opened the doors, but it's an ongoing battle always," she said. Her role in a major Christopher Nolan epic places the conversation about stunt recognition front and center.

Who is Devyn Dalton?

Devyn Dalton is a 34-year-old Canadian-born stunt performer, actor, motion-capture artist, voice actor, and dancer. Standing at 4'5", she served as Matt Damon's stunt double in Christopher Nolan's *The Odyssey*.

What scenes did Dalton perform in *The Odyssey*?

Dalton was prominently featured in the battle with the Laestrygonians — the armored giants that Odysseus fights early in the film. Her small stature was used to create a forced-perspective effect, making the 7-foot actors in giant costumes appear even larger.

What did Matt Damon say about his stunt double?

Damon praised Dalton publicly, saying she had "the greatest arms I've ever seen" and revealing that he hugged her on set to thank her for her work. He also clarified that while his biceps were real, his stunt double handled many of the physical action scenes.

Is Dalton's size an advantage in stunt work?

Absolutely. Her 4'5" frame was a key asset for the Laestrygonians battle, where forced perspective cinematography allowed filmmakers to make the giants appear impossibly large without relying on CGI.

What other films has Devyn Dalton worked on?

Dalton has over 60 acting credits, including *Rise of the Planet of the Apes* (2011), *War for the Planet of the Apes*, *The Last of Us*, *Godzilla*, *Scary Movie*, *Weapons*, and *Thunderbolts*.

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