Actor Matt Damon wouldn't have been cast in the lead role in Saving Private Ryan, had his Good Will Hunting co-star Robin Williams not introduced him to director Steven Spielberg.

The Good Shepherd star had almost missed out on his role in the hit film twice, because Spielberg didn't get his audition tape and also thought the actor was too thin.

It was only when Williams took him to meet the movie mogul, did Spielberg realise he had found his Ryan. During the introductory meeting, Spielberg told Damon he loved his role in Courage Under Fire, but ruled him out as Ryan because he felt he was too thin. Damon lost 40 pounds (18.14 kilograms) to play heroin addict ILARIO in the 1996 film.

""(He said) 'What movie have you been in?' and I said, 'I was in a movie called Courage Under Fire,' and he said, 'Yeah... I loved you in that movie... I wanted you to play Private Ryan but I thought you were too skinny,'"" Contactmusic quoted Damon, as saying.

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