Everything we know about Christopher Nolan's film "The Odyssey"
Christopher Nolan is tackling the Greek epic The Odyssey for his next film, a spectacular mythological adventure in IMAX with an all-star cast and filming locations across Europe and North Africa.
After the phenomenal success of Oppenheimer , Christopher Nolan is preparing to take on a new titanic challenge by adapting Homer's Greek epic The Odyssey into an epic film. This project, announced at the end of December 2024, is already causing a stir, and fans of the filmmaker are looking forward to this new adventure. Here's everything we know about this highly anticipated film, which should mark the history of cinema with its IMAX approach.
An announcement in the form of a Christmas present
The official announcement of the project came on December 23, 2024, shortly after Oppenheimer 's awards spree. This holiday season, Nolan fans were surprised to learn that his next film would be an adaptation of Homer's famous epic poem The Odyssey . This choice fits perfectly with his previous work, notably with the masterful use of IMAX cameras for his films like Interstellar , Dunkirk and Tenet . And of course, The Odyssey will be no exception, offering a unique visual experience.
An impressive cast
The casting of The Odyssey has caught the attention of moviegoers. Matt Damon , a loyal collaborator of Christopher Nolan , will play the role of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, a central character in the epic. The actor has already worked with the director in Interstellar and Oppenheimer , and his appearance in the role of Odysseus — dressed in majestic armor and a helmet with a red mane — has been revealed in a first official photo, thus confirming his role.
In addition to Matt Damon, many other big names in cinema are joining the project: Anne Hathaway, a loyal friend of Nolan, will reunite with the director after The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar , while Robert Pattinson , star of Tenet , will also make his return. The cast is also enriched by talents like Tom Holland, Zendaya, Mia Goth, Lupita Nyong'o and Charlize Theron . Tom Holland and Zendaya , known for their work in the Spider-Man universe, will work together for the first time outside the MCU universe. Finally, actors like John Leguizamo, Elliot Page and Benny Safdie complete the team.
Legendary filming locations
Filming for The Odyssey will take place in several locations across Europe and North Africa. The island of Favignana, off the coast of Sicily, is one of the first confirmed locations. The island, known as Aegusa in ancient times, is associated with an episode in The Odyssey where Odysseus and his men stop to hunt goats. This choice of location is particularly symbolic, as it reflects the authenticity of the setting described in the poem. In addition to Sicily, other locations such as the Aeolian Islands, the United Kingdom and Morocco will be used for the filming of the film.
A faithful adaptation or a reinvented one?
While few details have been released about Christopher Nolan ’s specific approach to Homer’s text, it’s likely that the story will remain true to the spirit of the poem. The Odyssey follows the journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who takes ten years to return home after the Trojan War, battling mythological creatures such as the Cyclops, the Sirens, and the fearsome sea monster Scylla. With Nolan at the helm, we can expect a spectacular recreation of these adventures, possibly enhanced by breathtaking visual and practical effects. The director is known for his bold choices, such as building cornfields in Interstellar or the spectacular plane crash in Tenet , and it’s likely that he’ll recreate certain mythological scenes with a keen eye for realism.
Release date and expectations
The film is set for a worldwide release on July 17, 2026. Christopher Nolan 's films have often dominated the box office during summer releases — Inception , The Dark Knight Rises , and Dunkirk are prime examples. So there's still a little over a year to go before we see this cinematic epic, but expectations are already sky-high.
