Was Matt Damon Originally Cast for Casey Affleck’s Manchester by the Sea Role?

I heard Matt Damon was originally set to star in the role Casey Affleck plays in Manchester by the Sea. True?

 —Rachel W., Birmingham, Alabama

Absolutely true. Matt Damon, 46, who is a producer on the powerful new film, was originally cast as Lee, a grief-stricken janitor who returns to his small town to care for his nephew after the sudden death of his brother Joe (Kyle Chandler). But the Oscar-winning actor wasn’t available and cast Casey Affleck, 41, the accomplished younger brother of actor Ben Affleck, in the role—and Hollywood is abuzz with the possibility of lead-actor awards that might come his way for his gripping performance.