Universal Pictures and director Christopher Nolan presented new footage and information for the upcoming IMAX film The Odyssey at events in Las Vegas, including the CinemaCon trade show. The film is an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic poem and is scheduled for release on July 17.
Project Overview
The film was announced in December 2024. It follows the Greek hero Odysseus's journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Nolan wrote the screenplay and produced the film with Emma Thomas under his Syncopy banner. Universal Pictures is distributing the film. This project follows Nolan's previous collaboration with Universal on Oppenheimer.
Cast and Characters
The cast includes a large ensemble of actors. The following roles have been confirmed:
- Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca.
- Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus's son.
- Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Odysseus's wife.
- Charlize Theron as Calypso, a nymph.
- Zendaya as the goddess Athena.
- Robert Pattinson as Antinous, a suitor.
- Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra (dual roles).
- Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, king of Sparta.
- Benny Safdie as Agamemnon.
- John Leguizamo as Eumaeus.
- Himesh Patel as Eurylochus.
- Mia Goth as Melantho.
- Jimmy Gonzales as Cepheus.
- Will Yun Lee in an unspecified role.
- Travis Scott as a bard.
- Elliot Page, Bill Irwin, Corey Hawkins, and Jovan Adepo also appear in the film (specific roles undisclosed).
Footage and Content Revealed
Footage screened at the events included several key sequences:
- A scene on Calypso's island where Odysseus, unable to remember his past, asks Calypso about his wife and children.
- A scene of Telemachus (Tom Holland) being told about the Trojan War by Menelaus (Jon Bernthal).
- The Trojan Horse sequence, showing the horse being pulled into Troy and Greek soldiers emerging at night to end the war.
- A scene of Odysseus and his soldiers rowing through a storm and launching a night attack.
- A brief shot of Odysseus and his crew confronting the cyclops Polyphemus.
The film will feature other mythological elements from the epic, including sirens and the goddess Circe.
Production and Technical Details
- Filming Locations: The film was shot in Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, and Scotland.
- IMAX Format: Nolan stated that The Odyssey is the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX cameras, including dialogue scenes. He described this as a "long-held dream" and "longest-held ambition," noting that his crew "did an incredible job figuring out how to do this for the first time."
- Budget: The film's budget has been reported as $250 million.
- Filming Duration: The film was shot over 91 days, using 2 million feet of film.
Director Statements
At the events, Nolan made several statements about the project:
"Why 'The Odyssey?' '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 stated he wanted to "bring this to a modern cinema audience."
He described the film as being about "family" and "homecoming," and identified the characters played by Holland, Damon, and Hathaway as the heart of the story.
On the filming process: Nolan described it as "an absolute nightmare to film — but in all the right ways," and stated that the crew "had an amazing time doing it." He added the film is "almost finished."
On his approach to the gods: Nolan stated he chose not to cast actors for the gods. "I became more interested in the idea that, to people in that period, evidence of gods was everywhere," he said, noting that cinema can immerse audiences in natural elements like storms and seas.
On the cast: Nolan joked, "It'll be quicker for me to tell you who isn't in the movie." He added, "I would have brought them all here, but the massive weight of extraordinary talent would have collapsed the stage."
On Matt Damon: Nolan referred to Damon as his "partner on this journey" and called his work "incredible."
Background and Context
- Nolan's previous film, Oppenheimer, received 13 Academy Award nominations and won 7, including Best Picture and Best Director.
- IMAX screenings contributed approximately 20% of Oppenheimer's box office gross.
- Universal has decided not to hold word-of-mouth (influencer) screenings for The Odyssey. The film will begin screening for critics after its global premiere in London on July 6.
Casting-Related Commentary
Lupita Nyong'o responded to criticism from some public figures regarding her casting as Helen of Troy. In an interview with Elle, Nyong'o stated she supports Nolan's vision for the story and said the cast reflects the diversity of the world. She declined to engage extensively with the criticism.