Matt Damon wraps ‘Contagion’ in Chicago, premieres ‘True Grit’ in NYC

Dec. 14, 2010 - New York, New York, U.S. - Actors MATT DAMON, HAILEE STEINFELD and JEFF DANIELS attend the New York premiere of 'True Grit' held at the Ziegfeld Theater. © Red Carpet Pictures

With only a few day of filming left in Chicago, the wrap party for Contagion was held at Rockit Bar and Grill last Friday, just in time for Matt Damon to make it back to New York for the premiere True Grit at the Ziegfeld.

Matt and crew left quite an impression on Chicago in the few weeks they were there filming the flick, about the threat posed by a deadly disease and an international team of doctors at the CDC who are left to deal with the outbreak. Last Thursday, hundreds of fans braved the freezing cold temperatures in downtown Western Springs, IL for a glimpse of Matt shooting outside a vacant building on Burlington Avenue. One of them told us that Matt did stop and wave to fans a few times and even stopped to take a few photos before leaving for the day.

Despite the cold temperatures, it has been reported that Matt enjoyed his time in Chicago. He was even spotted watching his New England Patriots beat the New York Jets last Monday night at Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap.

Even when Damon wasn’t on set, locals reaped the benefits of not only being able to watch a major motion picture being filmed in their neighborhoods, but many also got to play a small role in the making of the movie. One of our readers, Mark, told us about his experience as an extra on the film, saying, “My friend and I were on location for the movie in Waukegan and had a great time talking to our fellow extras finding out a lot of the projects they have done and how far they have driven to be included in the film, some as far as 3 hours drive from Iowa.” He added, “The production crew was all very nice, professional and personable and answered every question that people posed to them. We found out a lot of military extras in the movie were actual military personnel-I would like to send out a personal thank you to them for serving and keeping our country safe. It was a pleasure working on this production.”

But now that the fun is winding down in Chicago, it means Matt Damon will be getting back to promoting his current project, True Grit which was filming in New Mexico and Texas earlier this year. Matt walked the red carpet at last night’s NYC premiere with his wife, Luciana, as well as co-stars Jeff Bridges and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld.

True Grit is a remake of the John Wayne classic about a tough U.S. Marshal (Bridges) who helps a stubborn young woman (Steinfeld) track down her father’s murderer. Matt plays a man who joins the hunt for his own reasons. It hits theaters everywhere on December 22nd!

Check out a few photos from the premiere below!

Dec. 14, 2010 - New York, New York, U.S. - ''True Grit'' New Year Premiere.Ziegfeld Theater, NYC.December 14, 2010.Photos by Sonia Moskowirz,  Photos Inc 2010.MATT DAMON, HAILEE STEINFELD, JEFF BRIDGES.K66419SMO. © Red Carpet Pictures

Dec. 14, 2010 - New York, New York, U.S. - ''True Grit'' New Year Premiere.Ziegfeld Theater, NYC.December 14, 2010.Photos by Sonia Moskowirz,  Photos Inc 2010.MATT DAMON AND WIFE.K66419SMO. © Red Carpet Pictures

Dec. 14, 2010 - New York, New York, U.S. - ''True Grit'' New Year Premiere.Ziegfeld Theater, NYC.December 14, 2010.Photos by Sonia Moskowirz,  Photos Inc 2010.JOEL COEN AND ETHAN COEN.K66419SMO. © Red Carpet Pictures

Dec. 14, 2010 - New York, New York, U.S. - Actor JEFF BRIDGES attends the New York premiere of 'True Grit' held at the Ziegfeld Theater. © Red Carpet Pictures

Dec. 14, 2010 - New York, New York, U.S. - Actor JEFF BRIDGES and HAILEE STEINFELD attend the New York premiere of 'True Grit' held at the Ziegfeld Theater. © Red Carpet Pictures

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 14: Actor Matt Damon attends the premiere of True Grit at the Ziegfeld Theatre on December 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Dec. 14, 2010 - New York, New York, U.S. - JEFF BRIDGES, MATT DAMON.at NY Premiere of ''True Grit'' at Ziefeld Theatre, NYC. 12-14-2010. 2010..K66418JBB. © Red Carpet Pictures

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