For the 96th Oscars this Sunday, many dreams will shatter while many will adhere to the truth. With countless eyes watching for the Oscar debacle to unfold between the cinematic rivals, Oppenheimer and Barbie, there remains yet another line-up of rival exchange between the soon-to-be four-time Oscar host, Jimmy Kimmel and his arch-nemesis, Matt Damon, the Oppenheimer actor. Although the Dolby Theatre prepares in full-throttle to witness the clash of Hollywood titans, a similar outcome for the second round of combat might not ensue as per expectations.

The reason for the same is that Kimmel just had the most amusing response of all time when he was asked about his reaction to Damon’s Oppenheimer running for Oscars.

Is Jimmy Kimmel irked by Matt Damon’s Oscar nomination?

During the tropical heat waves of 2023, the steaming dispute began between Oppenheimer and Barbie. Enduring the sweltering heat, monsoon showers, and cold spells, now the debate will finally take center stage at the Dolby Theatre to have the last laugh. Owing to this, the presence of Oppenheimer’s cast ensemble remains inevitable, including Kimmel’s “avowed nemesis”, Matt Damon. Recently AP News asked Kimmel if that “irks” him all the more, but to everyone’s surprise, Kimmel expressed that it “delights” him. 

Even though the beginning was quite shocking, Kimmel soon unveiled his sarcastic profile. The Oscar host pressed how Damon had been “completely left out from the Oscar festivities” which, in turn, should be “embarrassing” since he was “even in the movie”. Kimmel did not stop there but had the most conflicting comparison to thread the ties. He said the situation is somewhat like “if everyone in the class got invited to a birthday party, and he’s the one kid who didn’t”.

While his response did startle at first, his eventual correction to his witty self takes the public back to the iconic two-decade-long feud between Kimmel and Damon.

Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon’s infamous controversy

For the cinephiles and Hollywood entities, the Kimmel-Damon feud is not something new. Instead, everyone is familiar with the roots and their longtime connotation. The cold shoulder began back in 2005 when Kimmel ended an episode from the third season of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by saying “Apologies to Matt Damon, but we ran out of time”. This satirical public feud ever since has garnered several hot topics of debate.

From then onwards, the duo treated the rivalry as a running gag to prank several celebrities who came to Kimmel’s show. Over time, media tabloids and source outlets have done extensive coverage on whether the rivalry is genuine or just for show. The pair has dropped their act on several occasions, making them appear like ‘frenemies’. Although no one can point out blankly to admit knowing what these pair’s equations truly are, fans might have to wait for the Oscars night to adjust their arguments.

What do you think of Jimmy Kimmel’s response about Matt Damon co-starrer Oppenheimer running for Oscars? Let us know in the comments below.