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The Last Duel trailer: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite in Ridley Scott movie

The childhood best friends have reunited in Ridley Scott’s new movie an, uh, they’ve looked better.

The Last Duel trailer

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have reunited on- and off-screen in the first trailer for Ridley Scott movie The Last Duel.

It’s been 24 years since the childhood besties won an Oscar for writing Good Will Hunting, which won them an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The Last Duel is their first writing collaboration since then, which they co-wrote with filmmaker Nicole Holofcener.

The film is based on the real-life story of the last legal duel in France, set in the 14th century. Damon plays one of the lead roles, of Jean de Carrouges, a knight whose wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer) accuses Jean’s friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) of rape.

Jacques denies the charge and the men decide to literally duel it out. Affleck has a supporting role as Count Pierre d’Alencon, the reigning grand poobah of the region.

But The Last Duel’s grim and sombre tone is offset by the fact that Damon and Affleck are sporting terrible haircuts – one of them a ripper of a mullet and the other a bleached blonde bowl cut.

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A mullet even Billy Ray Cyrus couldn’t abide.
A mullet even Billy Ray Cyrus couldn’t abide.
Blondes don’t have more fun.
Blondes don’t have more fun.

Not since Timothee Chalamet’s tresses were savaged for his role in The King (set during a similar era), has clippers done such damage to Hollywood locks (or possibly wigs).

Luckily, Driver was able to keep his flowing mane.

All kidding aside, The Last Duel marks a welcome reunion for Damon and Affleck, who have previously shared on-screen credits in the likes of Chasing Amy, School Ties, Glory Daze and Dogma.

The most recent film they were both in is Jay and Silent Bob Reboot but they didn’t share any scenes.

At least Adam Driver’s tresses were safe.
At least Adam Driver’s tresses were safe.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been friends since they were children. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Spike TV)
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been friends since they were children. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Spike TV)

Despite their successful creative collaboration in Good Will Hunting, the pair have not written anything together since then.

Affleck has cemented a career as a filmmaker since his directorial debut Gone Baby Gone, which he also co-wrote, and has screenwriting credits for Live By Night and The Town.

Meanwhile, Damon co-wrote the screenplay for Promised Land with fellow Bostonian John Krasinski and for Gerry with Casey Affleck.

The Last Duel was filmed in France and Ireland, with its production paused for several months in 2020 due to the covid pandemic.

The Last Duel in will be in cinemas on October 14

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/upcoming-movies/the-last-duel-trailer-matt-damon-and-ben-affleck-reunite-in-ridley-scott-movie/news-story/a4716e79a2b437d231dff7ca01897455