Damon relied on soldier co-stars in Green Zone
Matt Damon was grateful when actual U.S. soldiers were cast alongside him in Green Zone - because they were able to share their own war experiences to ensure his portrayal was authentic.
The actor plays an army officer searching for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in the new thriller, which features dozens of real military members.
Damon admits it was a challenge to play their leader, but was relieved to have their input.
He tells Britain's Live From Studio Five, "A big part of the role for me was getting comfortable enough to give these guys orders because I did not feel that I was qualified to do that!
"As an actor you're always just trying to be believable - that's really my only job. If at any point you don't believe what I'm doing or I am who I say I am, then I've failed. As a result you end up seeing actors spend a lot of time close to their technical advisors, the experts who are on the set to help.
"So having 30 guys who just got back from Iraq made it really easy to fall into this (role) but also they helped me and pointed things out to me...
"To their credit, they bought into the whole world that we were creating. They wanted the film to be good and they wanted my portrayal to feel authentic, so they realized really quickly that their help was a welcome thing."
© 2010 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD.
Other Articles for March 10, 2010
Veteran actress Dame Judi Dench is set to tell her life story - she's writing an autobiography.
Meryl Streep was left stunned by a TV study of her family tree - because it uncovered her family links to moviemaker Mike Nichols, who is one of her closest friends.
Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder has married his longterm love - he surprised guests at his baby daughter's christening on Sunday (07Mar10) by announcing the shock double celebration.
Robert De Niro is the frontrunner to portray American football great Vince Lombardi in a new sports movie.
Lily Allen has invited a camera crew into her life to record a U.K. TV series about her latest fashion venture.
Oscar winner Jeff Bridges regrets he never encouraged his three daughters to act - but hopes one day they'll "stumble" into the industry.
Classical singer Paul Potts is going the extra mile for charity - he's walking from his hometown in Wales to London to raise money for children orphaned in the Haiti earthquake.
Reality TV star Jesse James is beaming with pride following Sandra Bullock's Oscar win, insisting his wife deserved the honor "more than anybody".
Scottish movie star Gerard Butler struggles to recall moments from his lost year in America - because he was drunk or wasted for most of it.
