Why Producer Matt Damon Had Final Cut On ‘Manchester By The Sea’
ProducerMatt Damonhas a history with playwright, writer, and directorKenneth Lonergan. Over 14 years ago, Damon starred in a London production of one of Lonergan’s plays,This is Our Youth, alongsideManchester by the SeastarCasey Affleck. Years later, Damon had a supporting role in Lonergan’s second film,Margaret, a troubled andlong-delayeddrama caught up in legal troubles. After that movie, Lonergan’s reputation as a filmmaker took a hit. That led to Damon taking final cut onManchester by the Sea, which he knew he’d never need.
Below, learn more about why theManchester by the Seafinal cut went to Damon.
Initially, Damon wasgoing to directManchester by the Sea. Damon and hisPromised Landco-writer,John Krasinski(The Hollars), first told Lonergan their idea for the film. Then Damon got Lonergan paid to write the script, and after the actor had read a draft, he realized his friend was the right director forManchester by the Sea. Scheduling issues also forced Damon todrop outof starring in the project, but he stayed involved as a producer and made sure Lonergan got the movie made.
A part of the problem onMargaret: Lonergan was having trouble cutting the length down to the contractually stipulated runtime. At one point evenMartin Scorsesetook a shot at making another (and shorter) cut of the film, which was eventually dumped into theaters but had vocal supporters. It took a long time forMargaretto reach cinemas, and by the time it did, Lonergan’s reputation, as Damon puts it, had been sullied.
Manchester by theSea’s financierwas a little hesitant after Damon left the starring role, partially because of Casey Affleck’s history at the box office compared to Damon’s and also because of Lonergan’sMargaretexperience. So, to ease the mind of the financier, Damon took final cut on the drama (source:Variety):
Just in case things ever turned tense, having final cut could’ve helped Damon “very rationally and calmly help out.” Thankfully, that was never necessary withManchester by the Sea, which was funded byKimberly Steward, daughter of billionaire businessman David L. Steward. “It has to be his vision,” she said of working with Lonergan. “I can’t tell him what his vision is.” After a fantasticSundance premiere, that visionsold toAmazon for around $10 million.
