Matt Damon Reveals Why He Passed on Starring in ‘Ted’

Matt Damon says he turned down the lead role in Seth MacFarlane’s 2012 comedy *Ted* after overthinking the decision, despite finding the script exceptionally funny. He now reflects that filming in Boston would also have meant spending six months near his late father, making the choice personally significant as well as professional.

The part of John Bennett went to fellow Boston native Mark Wahlberg, whose performance Damon praised, saying the film was great and he would not have improved it. The two films later led to a two-season *Ted* prequel series; MacFarlane has floated the idea of a direct-to-Peacock feature, though no plans have been confirmed.