Key Takeaways:
* Hollywood actor Matt Damon intentionally avoided unnecessary shirtless scenes in the Bourne film series.
* He deemed it important to have the ‘beefcake shot' only when it served the narrative.
* This principle changed for Damon in the 2016 film, ‘Jason Bourne', where shirtless scenes were deemed necessary to depict the character's life trajectory.
If you're a fan of the Bourne films, you would have noticed the impressively muscled physique of the lead actor, Matt Damon. While one might expect an actor who's worked so hard on his body to flaunt it on-screen, Damon surprisingly chose not to display his stud attributes unless the scene absolutely needed it!
Why Damon Decided Not to Bare it All
After grueling workouts and intense training, Damon managed to build an enviable physique for his character, Jason Bourne. Despite being in the best shape of his life, the 53-year-old actor was not keen on showcasing his toned body for the camera unless necessary.
In an interview with Parade, he opened up about the decision, saying, “On the first Bourne movie, I was in the best shape of my life, and we purposely never did a shot of me with my shirt off.” Even in the few scenes where he is almost shirtless, what stands out are the bullet holes in his back rather than his chiseled body, indicating a focus on storytelling over gratuitous shirtless shots.
Going Shirtless in ‘Jason Bourne'
The trend of not going shirtless continued for Damon throughout his journey portraying the character. However, this changed with his last outing as Jason Bourne in 2016. This was the only time Damon decided to flaunt his physique in a film in the series.
In a sequence showing a bare-knuckle brawl in the movie, viewers get a good look at Damon's well-chiseled body. Discussing the break from tradition with Yahoo, Damon explained that the shot added value to the story at this stage. “You want to see him like that, I think, to get a sense of what his life's been like,” he shared.
Not only does the shirtless scene add depth to the character of Bourne, but it also sets the tone for the movie, giving the audience a glimpse into his not-so-comfortable life on the run.
What Damon's Stance Tells Us
Damon's decision not to go shirtless unnecessarily in the Bourne series tells us a lot about him as an actor – he values the essence of the story over the opportunity to showcase his physique. Despite embodying an action hero, he chose not to fall into the objectification trap, ensuring his character was not reduced to just a well-toned body but was recognized for his intelligence and skills.
Damon's approach goes against the grain when it comes to Hollywood's traditional way of selling movies using the star's physique. It emphasizes the need for a narrative that not only glues viewers to the screen but also respects the artistic sanctity of the storyline.
So, if you're keen to follow the journey of your favorite character, Jason Bourne, you can stream the series on Max, Hulu, or Netflix. And remember, while the action scenes may keep you on the edge of your seat, it's the deeper significance of every move that makes the Bourne films so captivating!
Remember, every shirtless scene or lack thereof has a story behind it. And in the case of Damon's Jason Bourne, those stories have been very carefully chosen to serve the narrative, rather than cater to mere aesthetics.
