Matt Damon: My relationship with Ben Affleck has deepened and evolved over time

Matt Damon: My relationship with Ben Affleck has deepened and evolved over time
Matt Damon: My relationship with Ben Affleck has deepened and evolved over time (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)

Matt Damon says his relationship with Ben Affleck has ā€œdeepened and evolvedā€ over the years, but not really changed.

The Hollywood actor said that the pair, who have worked together for over two decades, were ā€œstill trying to solve creative problemsā€ but there was now ā€œmore on the lineā€.

The pair recently co-founded a production company together, Artists Equity, which will release its first film, Air, next month.

The cast of Air (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Directed by Affleck and starring them both, the film follows the story of the game-changing partnership between a rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division.

The pair attended the LA premiere of the film on Monday, alongside their co-stars Jason Bateman and Chris Tucker.

Speaking about his relationship with Affleck over the years, Damon told the PA news agency. ā€œI don’t know how much it has changed. It’s kind of deepened and evolved I guess.

ā€œWe’re still trying to solve creative problems. It’s still the same shit just now we have a company so there’s more on the line for us.

The pair won their first Oscar’s – for best screenplay – in 1998 for Good Will Hunting in their late twenties (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)

ā€œBut we just love making movies and making good movies and that’s what we’re trying to do with the company.ā€

Asked if he had ever referred to Affleck as ā€œMr Directorā€ he laughed and replied ā€œNever!ā€

ā€œThe thing about growing up together is you know each other so well and there’s no diplomacy at all – it’s actually the opposite which helps creatively with problem solving.

ā€œYou get to the answer really quickly because it’s like ā€˜that was terrible’ and your feelings aren’t hurt and there’s respect under it.ā€

The pair won their first Oscar’s – for best screenplay – in 1998 for Good Will Hunting in their late twenties.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck arrive at the world premiere of Air (Ashley Landis/AP)

Tucker praised Affleck and Damon’s ability to work as a team to solve problems while filming.

ā€œYou felt like you had freedom on the set, so there was no pressure. I love the way they work,ā€ he told PA.

ā€œThey were great man… if there was a problem, it wasn’t one or the other they would come together to solve it.ā€

Affleck’s wife, US pop superstar Jennifer Lopez, also attended the premiere on Monday.

Air is due for UK release on April 7.

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