John Leguizamo Details 14-Hour Blindness Challenge for 'The Odyssey' Role

John Leguizamo could not see for up to 14 hours a day while filming his role in Christopher Nolan’s new blockbuster, The Odyssey, according to Deadline. The actor detailed the extreme physical challenge of portraying the blind servant Eumaeus in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

He wore contact lenses that rendered him effectively blind for the duration of his workdays. "Not being able to see for 12 to 14 hours a day, like I couldn’t see my phone, I couldn’t read, I couldn’t call," Leguizamo said. "My other eye wasn’t clear either. I could not see."

What was the hardest part of the role?

The lack of sight required the actor to rely on others for basic tasks on the set of the big-budget film. "I had to be taken to the bathroom, I had to be brought back. I had to be taken to eat," he recounted. The immersive experience also had a significant mental impact.

Leguizamo added, "When I was alone, I just had to be inside my head because that’s all I had. Too much time with my own thoughts. It’s a dangerous thing."

What is 'The Odyssey' about?

The Odyssey is Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the ancient Greek epic. The film follows the legendary King of Ithaca, Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, on his perilous, decade-long journey home after the Trojan War. He faces mythological monsters and the whims of gods. The cast also includes Anne Hathaway as Penelope and Tom Holland as Telemachus.

The film, which carries an R rating and a runtime of 172 minutes, is currently playing in theaters.

Sources

• Metacritic
• IMDb