“How did we not think of that?” Robin Williams Took 60 Takes to Perfect a Scene that Made Matt Damon Gasp in Awe
Robin Williams was a true legend who left an incredible mark on the entertainment industry. The actor and comedian was highly acknowledged for his improvisational style, and adapting unique approaches while filming. Praising the creativity of Williams, acclaimed actor Matt Damon once recalled a moment when the legendary star left Damon and a director in awe.
Matt Damon and Robin Williams worked together in Good Will Hunting, a movie directed by Gus Van Sant. During an interview, the Oppenheimer star shared a moment from the movie, which resulted in an excellent scene. The actor mentioned the ending part of the movie in which Williams who played Sean, was supposed to be silent in response to a letter. However, the actor ended up improvising and adding an iconic quote to the scene making it a perfect conclusion for Good Will Hunting.
Robin Willaims Stunned Matt Damon With His Creative Genius
Some of the most iconic lines are usually made unexpectedly while actors or makers are testing their improvisational skills. Similarly, while Matt Damon was filming with Robin Williams for Good Will Hunting, he was amazed by the exceptional talent of the legendary actor as he originated the most iconic quote “Son of a b*tch. He stole my line.” while shooting the last scenes for Sant’s project.
While speaking to Vanity Fair, the Stillwater star recalled the moment when Williams improvised the scene, making it the perfect ending for Good Will Hunting. He said:
“In true Robin fashion, we did 60 takes. Like we just left the camera rolling and he kept coming out, and kept coming out. He did something different every single time. I remember when he said, “Son of a bitch. He stole my line,” I grabbed Gus’ shoulders. I felt him tense up like we both knew. We were like, “Holy shit.” What a line. How did we not think of that?”
The No Sudden Move star also mentioned doing 60 takes, for the scene which included Sean Maguire discovering a letter from Damon’s Will Hunting, stating that he’s leaving to follow his love in California. Williams was supposed to stay silent to end the scene but instead left the director and Damon in amazement.
Robin Williams’ Improvisation Made Good Will Hunting Even More Impactful
Though there are numerous dialogues in Good Will Hunting, the last quote remains iconic, which not only resulted in an outstanding conclusion but also contributed to understanding the relationship Sean and Will had throughout the film. Gus Van Sant’s movie received the perfect ending it could ever have, flaunting the exceptional skills of the cast members involved. Being an incredible professor to Will (Matt Damon), Sean became the only person in his life who helped Will cope with formidable barriers and taught him life lessons.
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Apart from Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams, who began his acting career in the 1970s, slayed his bombastic comedy style through Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage, and many other notable projects. The late actor was also a recipient of a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture.
Robin Williams was also a target of depression and drug abuse for years, and he tragically died on August 11, 2014. The actor’s death by suicide sent shockwaves among fans and the entire industry, leaving behind a lasting impact on the entertainment world.
Good Will Hunting is streaming on Netflix.
