Why Matt Damon is taking a year off acting

Actor Matt Damon says he plans to take a break from acting.

Matt Damon is taking a year off.

The Jason Bourne star - who raises 15-year-old Alexia, Isabella, nine, Gia, seven, and five-year-old Stella, with wife Luciana - usually takes his family to movie sets with him but after years of "dragging them all over the world", he's ready for a break.

He told Today: "I took a bunch of roles in a row. I've done four straight movies in a row and I have one more to go.

"They're really good sports. They're great travellers. But I'm excited to finish this year of work and take a year off and be at their behest for once."

The 45-year-old actor is returning to play super-spy Jason Bourne after almost 10 years away from the action franchise and agreed to reprise the role again because of fan demand.

He said: "After years of that, it gets humbling. I've certainly made a lot of movies that nobody went to see, so when you have a loyal audience that's asking for something, at a certain point we looked at each other and said, 'Let's get off our high horse and do it.' "

Matt recently admitted he usually only accepts movie roles if his family can join him on the shoot.

He said: "When making the movie, I always take them and go on a big family trip. Every decision to make a movie is really up for to the family. If it is going to be too disruptive, I just can't do it. Sometimes it is an adventure. Last year I went to China for six months and it was a big family trip and that was awesome."

However, if the Martian star isn't allowed to tag his family along with him, he will only accept the role if it's guaranteed he can return home after two weeks of shooting.

He explained: "We try to not be apart for two weeks. We have this two week rule, but three weeks has been the longest we have ever been apart."

A scene from The Martian starring Matt Damon.

But, despite his globetrotting career, he recently admitted his youngest daughters don't realise he's a film star.

He said: "I think to a certain degree the older ones do, they are aware of it. The younger ones probably not so much."

- Bang! Showbiz