Matt Damon Admits He Overthought Passing on 'Ted' Role
The actor revealed he turned down the lead in the 2012 hit to let his Boston father see him on set, a decision he now regrets.
By Aiko Brooks ·
For Matt Damon, the 2012 comedy 'Ted' remains a persistent source of second-guessing. He confirmed in a recent GQ interview that he initially accepted the role of John, the foul-mouthed teddy bear’s best friend, before withdrawing. The part eventually went to Mark Wahlberg, who carried the film to a box office hit.
Damon described the script as a unique experience, noting that he laughed so hard while reading it that he took it to dinner parties to share passages with friends. Despite his enthusiasm, he admitted to getting 'too clever by half.' He reasoned that the teddy bear character might be the strongest element of the story, a calculation that led him to back out.
His hesitation was compounded by personal circumstances. Because the production was filming in Boston, the role would have allowed Damon to be home for six months. He pointed out that his father, who has since passed away, would have had the opportunity to see him working close to home. 'I look back and I go, man, that would’ve been six months back [home],' he said.
Damon maintains that the final product succeeded without him, stating that Wahlberg was the right choice and that he would not have improved the movie. The film’s success spawned a sequel and a prequel series on Peacock, extending its cultural footprint years after its initial release.
The actor has since shifted focus to Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey.' The Greek epic has earned over $652 million worldwide and is scheduled to return to theaters in December in the Imax 70mm format. The film has also positioned Damon as a strong contender for the upcoming Academy Awards.
