Who is Devyn Dalton and why Christopher Nolan used Matt Damon's 4-foot-5 stunt double in The Odyssey

Canadian stunt performer Devyn Dalton has become one of the most talked-about names behind Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey after Matt Damon revealed that some of the muscular arms audiences see in the film actually belong to her. Damon, who plays Odysseus in the epic adaptation of Homer's classic poem, praised Dalton on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast, calling her the owner of the "greatest arms I've ever seen."

The shoutout has sparked curiosity about Dalton, a veteran stunt performer and motion-capture artist whose height and athleticism helped create some of the film's most memorable giant battle sequences.

Who is Devyn Dalton?

Devyn Dalton is a 34-year-old Canadian stunt performer, actor, motion-capture artist, voice actor and dancer from Vancouver, British Columbia. She has spent more than a decade building a career in Hollywood, earning credits across major films and television series through stunt work, motion capture and physically demanding performances.

Dalton says she has always loved movement and storytelling, eventually finding a profession that allowed her to combine both passions.

Why did Matt Damon have a 4-foot-5 stunt double?

Dalton's height—around 4-foot-5—proved to be an advantage while filming The Odyssey. According to the stunt performer, she was used in scenes involving the giant Laestrygonians, where filmmakers relied on forced perspective to make the towering warriors appear even larger.

Facing off against stunt performers standing about seven feet tall created a convincing size difference on screen, helping achieve what Dalton described as "movie magic."

Matt Damon later explained that while audiences may have believed they were seeing him in several action shots, they were actually watching Dalton.

"There are shots in the movie where giants appear to be looming over me," Damon said, adding that many of those scenes featured Dalton's arms rather than his own. He also recalled thanking her during production for all the work she had put into the role.

Dalton said she was stunned after friends sent her the interview clip featuring Damon's comments.

She told CBC News that her jaw "dropped" when she heard the praise and described the recognition as "so awesome." She added that she is far from the only stuntwoman who doubles male actors and hopes the attention helps highlight the work performed by women in the stunt industry.

"It is so cool to shine a light on that," she said.

A career built on motion capture and stunt work

Dalton entered the stunt industry shortly after high school and landed one of her earliest major opportunities in Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), where she portrayed Cornelia through motion capture after undergoing weeks of intensive "ape training."

She later returned to the franchise, performing as Cornelius in War for the Planet of the Apes while also portraying Caesar in certain scenes of Rise.

Over the years, Dalton has continued expanding her skills in martial arts, film fighting, weapon work, boxing, yoga and strength training to remain ready for stunt roles, often with little notice before filming begins.

Her screen credits now span more than 60 productions, including The Last of Us, Godzilla and numerous action-heavy projects.

Preparing for The Odyssey

Dalton said landing a role in Christopher Nolan's epic was the result of years of training and earning the trust of stunt coordinators and filmmakers.

When she received the call for The Odyssey, she immediately intensified her strength and combat training with a coach to prepare for the physically demanding production.

She explained that opportunities like the role do not happen overnight but come after years of building a strong reputation within the industry.

Dalton believes the recognition extends beyond her own career. She said women in stunt work continue to face challenges, including underrepresentation and pressure surrounding body image.

For her, being recognized as a strong, athletic woman performing physically demanding roles sends an important message.

Since Damon's comments went viral, Dalton said she has received an outpouring of support, particularly from young women and girls who hope to follow similar career paths. She described the response as emotional and said she hopes her journey encourages others to pursue their dreams.

About The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is based on Homer's ancient Greek epic and follows Odysseus during his perilous 10-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.

The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus alongside Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Travis Scott, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, Corey Hawkins, Jon Bernthal and Samantha Morton.