Matt Damon Reveals Why He's Not in 'Manchester By the Sea'

Matt Damon stops for a quick camera opp while participating in a panel discussion hosted by Stella Artois and held during the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on Saturday (January 23) in Park City, UT.

The 45-year-old Martian star and Water.org co-founder talked about the current global water crisis.

Matt also recently revealed why he didn’t star in Manchester By the Sea as he originally planned.

“Basically, it’s one of the best roles I’ve ever seen,” Matt said (via USA Today). “I had a full slate and I wouldn’t be able to do this movie until next year and they could go last year with Casey [Affleck]. I didn’t want to get in the way of a great movie getting made. And I had already said to Kenny [Lonergan, the director], ‘I will not give this role up to anybody except for Casey Affleck.’ And Casey instantly took the role. Because he saw what we all saw. I never made it through this script without crying…I wish I was in it, but I’m happy to be attached to it.”

Matt served as a producer on the film, which is currently showing at the festival.

Also pictured below: Adrian Grenier and AnnaLynne McCord stepping out for the Stella Artois Filmmaker Lounge‘s “Trash Fire” cocktail party later that night.