Universal Pictures presented new footage and details for director Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey at an event in Las Vegas, coinciding with CinemaCon, the exhibition industry’s annual trade show. The film is an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem.
The Odyssey is a story that has fascinated generation after generation for 3,000 years. It’s not a story, it’s the story.
— Christopher Nolan
Project Overview
The project was announced in December 2024. Nolan wrote the screenplay and produced the film with Emma Thomas under their Syncopy banner, marking his second collaboration with Universal Pictures following Oppenheimer. The film is reported to be the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX cameras, with a budget of $250 million.
Plot and Themes
The narrative follows Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, on his journey home following the conclusion of the Trojan War. Nolan described the film’s central themes as “family” and “homecoming.” He identified the characters played by Tom Holland (Telemachus), Matt Damon (Odysseus), and Anne Hathaway (Penelope) as being central to the story.
Footage Description
The new footage shown to exhibitors included multiple key sequences from the epic:
- A beachside conversation: Odysseus (Matt Damon) speaks with the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron) about his lost memories and his family prior to the war.
- A history lesson: Telemachus (Tom Holland) is told about the Trojan War by Menelaus (Jon Bernthal).
- The Trojan Horse: The iconic structure is brought into Troy, followed by Greek soldiers emerging at night to end the war.
- Storm and assault: Odysseus and his soldiers row through a storm and launch a night attack.
- The Cyclops: A shot of Odysseus and his crew confronting Polyphemus.
Cast
The film features an extensive ensemble cast, including:
- Matt Damon as Odysseus
- Tom Holland as Telemachus
- Anne Hathaway as Penelope
- Charlize Theron as Calypso
- Robert Pattinson as Antinous
- Zendaya as Athena
- Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra
- Jon Bernthal as Menelaus
- Benny Safdie as Agamemnon
- John Leguizamo as Eumaeus
- Himesh Patel as Eurylochus
- Mia Goth as Melantho
- Jimmy Gonzales as Cepheus
- Will Yun Lee and Elliot Page in undisclosed roles
Director Statements
Speaking at the event, Nolan explained his interest in adapting the material: “The Odyssey is a story that has fascinated generation after generation for 3,000 years. It’s not a story, it’s the story.” He said his goal was to “bring this to a modern cinema audience.”
Regarding the decision to film entirely in IMAX, Nolan stated it was a “long-held dream” and that his crew “did an incredible job figuring out how to do this for the first time.” He noted his ambition to capture the entire film in the format began with his work on The Dark Knight.
Nolan described the production process as “an absolute nightmare to film—but in all the right ways,” adding that the crew “had an amazing time doing it.” He reported the film is “almost finished.”
My crew did an incredible job figuring out how to do this for the first time.
Production Details
Filming took place in Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, and Scotland. The film was produced over 91 days using new IMAX technology. Notably, characters played by the Greek gods are not depicted by actors; instead, their presence is felt through natural elements like storms and turbulent seas.
Release Information
The Odyssey is scheduled to be released in IMAX theaters on July 17.