Matt Damon returns to writing with 'Promised Land'

When Gus Van Sant last directed a Matt Damon script, the tandem produced nine Academy Award nominations, two wins and the birth of two new stars.

If "Promised Land," their new collaboration, is unlikely to replicate the success of "Good Will Hunting," which turned little-known Damon and co-writer/co-star Ben Affleck into Oscar-winning A-listers, the movie stands out for other reasons.

The film, which Damon wrote with "The Office's" John Krasinski, is the first prominent narrative feature to delve into the contentious issue of fracking, the practice of extracting natural gas by fracturing rock formations that's been blamed for all sorts of health hazards.

Its story follows the debate that arises when natural gas salespeople (Damon and Frances McDormand) come to a small Pennsylvania town to sell its residents on permitting fracking on their properties, but it's hardly the judgmental agenda-driven flick one might expect.

amNewYork spoke with Damon about the movie, which opens on Dec. 28.