Matt Damon says he missed the Milk role that went to Josh Brolin

Movieweb reports that Matt Damon says he was originally set to appear in Gus Van Sant's biopic Milk but was recast after a scheduling conflict, with Josh Brolin taking the part.

Damon told USA Today he "loved the script" and had already done research on the true‑story project, but that Sean Penn's change in schedule pushed the film and created a conflict that led to his replacement. He said Brolin was "amazing" and reflected, "That must've happened for a reason." The role earned Brolin an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and Van Sant's film received Best Picture and Best Director nominations while winning Best Actor (Penn) and Best Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black).

Damon discussed the missed opportunity while promoting his latest film, the action thriller The Rip, in a USA Today interview with co‑star Ben Affleck. The two reunited for the Netflix‑backed project and revisited their long collaboration, which dates back to their Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting in 1997.

Key Topics

Culture, Matt Damon, Milk, Gus Van Sant, Josh Brolin, The Rip