John Leguizamo Says Christopher Nolan Did This Kind Act as He Was ‘Losing It’ Freezing in ‘Mini-Skirts’ Shooting“ Odyssey” (Exclusive)

The actor portrays a loyal friend to Matt Damon’s Odysseus in the new adaptation of the epic Greek tale

NEED TO KNOW John Leguizamo is recalling some of his favorite moments from the set of The Odyssey The film, which hits theaters on July 17, tells the story of Homer's ancient Greek poem of the same name Leguizamo spoke to PEOPLE at the July 14 premiere of the film in New York City about his experience on set with Matt Damon and Christopher Nolan John Leguizamo is reflecting on his favorite moments filming The Odyssey. The Christopher Nolan-directed movie, which hits theaters on July 17, tells the story of Homer's ancient Greek poem of the same name and sees the actor, 65, in the role of Eumaeus — a blind, devoted friend and servant to Matt Damon's Odysseus.

At one point in the film, as part of his performance, Leguizamo began "losing it" as Eumaeus experiences a "fever dream." At the July 14 premiere of the film in New York City, Leguizamo tells PEOPLE that what Nolan did in response yielded one of his fondest memories from set — and an amusing response from his costar. "I was having a fever dream as my character, Eumaeus, and losing it because I'm kind of method, and [Nolan] saw that I was freezing because we're dressed in mini skirts and it was freezing in February," Leguizamo recalls of their period costuming.

"He took off his coat and put it on me." "And Matt Damon goes, 'I've been working for six months in the oceans, in Iceland, and you put the coat on him?!,' he adds with a smile. "Yeah, Matt's the funniest."

Beyond this sweet gesture, Leguizamo explains that "one of the most incredible things about [Nolan]" is that he physically stands behind the camera while directing. "I think it's the most personal and safe place to have a director because you're eye to eye and then you feel safe, you feel seen, you feel more capable of being vulnerable," Leguizamo says. "It's just an incredible place for a director to be instead of in the video village hundreds of feet away."

Leguizamo, who starred with Damon, 55, in the 2000 animated film Titan A.E., says he "couldn't believe what a generous, humble and funny dude," the Oscar winner was on the set of The Odyssey. "I had no idea what to expect, but I didn't expect his incredible generosity. He never complained, and he was doing the heaviest lifting of any actor in the whole movie.

And the dude never had an unkind word, was always kind to the crew. Just a lovely, lovely dude. Chef's kiss of an actor," he says, kissing the tips of his fingers.

In addition to Leguizamo and Damon, The Odyssey features a cast jam-packed with A-listers including Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal, Samantha Morton, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Benny Safdie and Himesh Patel. The Odyssey is in theaters July 17. Read the original article on People