Matt Damon and Casey Affleck Discuss Rob Gronkowski’s Cameo in ‘The Instigators’

More than 25 years after teaming up in Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon and Casey Affleck are reuniting on screen in Apple TV+’s The Instigators. This upcoming action comedy focuses on Rory, a struggling father played by Damon, and Cobby, an ex-con portrayed by Affleck. The plot revolves around their attempt to steal from a corrupt politician, a heist that goes dramatically wrong. As they become targets of police, bureaucrats, and crime bosses, they turn to Rory’s therapist, played by Hong Chau, for help in evading capture.

Directed by Doug Liman, the film boasts an ensemble cast including Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, and Toby Jones. Adding to the star power are appearances by Jack Harlow, Ron Perlman, and NFL legend Rob Gronkowski. The latter’s inclusion in the film was a decision Damon and Affleck are particularly excited about. Affleck, who co-wrote the film with Chuck MacLean, revealed that Gronkowski was his first choice for the role.

In an interview with ET’s Rachel Smith, Affleck said, "Devin Walsh, our producer, called him up and got him here. He really thought he was going to be in it more. Everybody loves [Gronk]." Damon added that they aimed to create a film that would have audiences laughing from start to finish. "It’s a lot of fun. We wanted to make a really fun film and hopefully you laugh the whole way through it."

Affleck also mentioned that Damon was his top pick for the role of Rory. "Whenever I’m writing something or trying to put something together, I think about Matt. He just says no to all of it! At a certain point, you have to have backups in mind. If I send it to his wife, Lucy, I get more likely to get a yes," he joked, referring to Damon’s wife, Luciana Bozán, who is also a producer on the film.

The film’s setting in Boston brings Damon and Affleck back to their roots. Damon noted that returning to Boston for work feels like coming home, not just geographically but culturally. "There’s this kind of cynical sarcastic Boston thing that comes naturally to us, I think," he said, describing the project as a "love letter" to the city.

Affleck echoed this sentiment, saying, "It’s hard not to come [to Boston] and not plan some scene in Fenway Park. The whole city feels like home." The film, filled with car chases and hostage scenarios, also surprisingly delves into the theme of mental health. Chau’s character, Dr. Donna Rivera, serves as a voice of reason amid the chaos, although her efforts are mostly in vain when she becomes a hostage during the flawed heist.

Hong Chau described the experience of working with Damon and Affleck as being like "being invited to the family barbecue." She said, "You get to be there and experience all the history and watch them gently rib each other. It was really fun." Chau also highlighted the balance her character brings to the film, adding depth to the otherwise action-packed narrative.

"I haven’t been to therapy, but I imagine that most [sessions] are more open and vulnerable than [some] marriages. So, I think those scenes with Dr. Rivera and Rory create a very sensitive environment," Chau said. "And then you juxtapose [them] with the car chases and everything else going on, [and it’s] a really nice thing to balance and make it fit into this action movie."

While Rory and Cobby’s dynamic in the film differs greatly from Damon and Affleck’s real-life friendship, it was an enjoyable experience for both actors. Damon explained, "It’s a good comedic setup for these guys who are kind of an odd couple in ways. Casey’s character really just wants to make friends [but] he doesn’t ever come out and say that. And my character is just in this desperate situation and doesn’t know what [he’s] doing."

Summing up the film, Damon humorously stated, "If you can’t get the A Team, B Team or C Team, you get us. That’s how we thought about it."

The Instigators will premiere in select theaters on August 2 and will be available on Apple TV+ starting August 9.

Source: ET