Movies 5 months ago

Why Danny Ocean Would Never Include 'Instigators' in Ocean's 11, According to Matt Damon

The Instigators, a comedic heist film by Doug Liman, stars Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. Set in Boston, it’s a hilarious twist on the heist genre.

Doug Liman’s new film, The Instigators, offers a comedic, working-class twist on the heist genre, set in Boston. It resembles a less skilled version of Ocean's 11—if the Ocean’s team were notably inept. This comparison is relevant as both films star Matt Damon and Casey Affleck.

Damon told Entertainment Weekly that the comparison is quite accurate. “I think that’s a pretty fair description,” Damon said. “We didn’t focus much on Ocean's 11 during filming because those movies showcase the perfect team, each with a unique skill, and everything works out perfectly. Our film is the exact opposite.”

He continued, “There’s no chance that Danny Ocean would ever include these two knuckleheads in his crew. That’s what makes it fun—seeing two ordinary guys in the middle of a heist.”

In The Instigators, Damon plays Rory, a desperate father who teams up with ex-con Cobby to steal from a corrupt politician (portrayed by Ron Perlman). When their plan goes awry, they are pursued by the police, criminals, and inept officials. The chaos escalates when Rory’s therapist (played by Hong Chau) gets dragged into their mishaps.

Liman, who worked with Damon on The Bourne Identity, was excited by the film’s unique angle. “I saw an opportunity to create something distinct,” Liman said. “It’s a different kind of heist film—sort of like The Bad News Bears of heist movies, featuring two clumsy thieves trying to rob a corrupt mayor in Boston. We aimed to create a smart, enjoyable comedy.”

Liman also enjoyed the contrast with their previous project. “It’s enjoyable because our last film together featured Matt as the ultimate competent character, Jason Bourne,” he noted. “Now, we’re exploring something completely different. Matt Damon’s range is impressive—he’s not just a top action star but also very funny.”

Written by Chuck MacLean and Affleck, The Instigators also stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, and Jack Harlow. The movie will hit select theaters on August 2 and will be available for global streaming on Apple TV+ starting August 9.