Matt Damon and Casey Affleck star as strangers thrown into their debut heist in the new action comedy “The Instigators.” The pair find themselves on the run in Boston after a botched robbery of a corrupt politician, with Damon’s character’s therapist, portrayed by Hong Chau, in tow. The film, penned by Affleck and Chuck MacLean and helmed by Doug Liman, harkens back to classic movies not often seen nowadays, such as “Midnight Run,” boasting a talented ensemble cast including Alfred Molina, Michael Stuhlbarg, Ron Perlman, Toby Jones, and Ving Rhames, among others. Despite the traditional vibe, the movie is thoroughly contemporary, being produced by streaming giant AppleTV+ in partnership with Damon and Ben Affleck’s Artists Equity production company.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Damon, Affleck, and Chau discussed the film, their personal dynamics, and shared anecdotes. The dialogue has been edited for conciseness and clarity.
Affleck revealed that the inspiration behind venturing into comedy was the lack of receiving great comedic scripts and decided to create one himself based on a story by Chuck MacLean. Damon shared his admiration for director Doug Liman’s work, citing his unique ability to add an unconventional twist to films. The trio also delved into their past collaborations, including the shared experience on “The Bourne Identity.”
Despite the nostalgic connection to Boston, where the movie was shot, Damon pointed out that the focus during production is on efficiently utilizing resources rather than reminiscing. Ben Affleck’s involvement as a producer was acknowledged, with Damon highlighting their desire to explore various ways to collaborate within the industry. The banter and jibes about Damon’s age in the film were ad-libbed by Affleck, drawing inspiration from real-life interactions between the two actors.
The team expressed their enthusiasm for working together and their eagerness to continue collaborating on future projects. The camaraderie and creative synergy evident among Damon, Affleck, and Chau reflect a deep-rooted mutual respect and admiration that transcends their professional relationships.
