For actors, not being cast in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey, probably feels like missing the event of the year. It seems like everyone is involved, and the already impressive cast is likely to grow. So far, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Matt Damon, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, and Anne Hathaway have been announced, and the surprising addition of Travis Scott has also generated a lot of buzz.
I’ve been a big fan of Scott for years, and it’s amazing how many people know his music! But honestly, while he’s incredible as a rapper, I’m a little unsure about him as an actor. He’s only really dipped his toe in with a quick appearance on Ballers and a voice part in Trolls: Holiday in Harmony. That experimental film, Aggro Dr1ft, was mostly special effects, so it doesn’t really count. I get why fans are hesitant – it reminds me of when Harry Styles was cast in Dunkirk. If you want to see Christopher Nolan make a truly inspired celebrity casting choice, you have to go way back to David Bowie in The Prestige – that was perfect!
David Bowie Plays One of the World’s Greatest Inventors in ‘The Prestige’
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
The 2006 film The Prestige is based on Christopher Priest’s popular 1995 novel. It follows the intense rivalry between two stage magicians, Robert Angier (played by Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (played by Christian Bale), in 19th-century London, all stemming from their obsession with perfecting a teleportation trick. The film also features David Bowie as a Serbian-American inventor famous for his work on alternating current (AC) electricity.
Nolan portrays Tesla as a legendary figure, not as a realistic person. In the film, Angier travels to Colorado Springs to find Tesla, who is also engaged in a competitive feud with Thomas Edison. Convinced that Tesla created a teleportation device for Borden, Angier asks him to build one for him as well. Tesla agrees and produces a remarkably functional machine, but cautions Angier that it won’t bring him fulfillment. He advises, “Go home. Forget this thing. I can recognize an obsession; no good will come of it.” When activated, the device creates a copy of the user, leaving the original unharmed.
Nolan shared with The Irish Times that he’d always been a massive Bowie fan and envisioned no one else playing the role. He recalled reaching out to the six-time Grammy winner, who initially hesitated, feeling he wasn’t right for the part. Determined to have him on board, Nolan flew to New York to personally convince Bowie, explaining that he truly believed no one else could capture the character as well. “Normally, actors don’t believe that line,” Nolan said, “but this time I meant it, and it worked!”
Nolan Was Right… Bowie Is Tesla
Warner Bros.
David Bowie’s portrayal of Nikola Tesla in the film feels remarkably true to life, despite being a fictionalized take. His entrance is unforgettable – he calmly walks through a field of sparking electricity to meet Angier. Director Christopher Nolan wanted to present Tesla as a captivating figure, and Bowie fully embraced that vision. This scene immediately establishes him as both brilliant and almost supernatural, demanding the audience’s respect. From that moment on, Bowie delivers exactly what the role needs – a quiet demeanor and effortless charisma.
It’s no surprise David Bowie was such a captivating performer – he had a lot more acting experience than most musicians. When he wasn’t recording music, he was often in Hollywood, appearing in several successful films. These included The Man Who Fell to Earth (where he won a Saturn Award for Best Actor), The Last Temptation of Christ, Just a Gigolo, and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.
Subscribe to the newsletter for casting insights and context
Get deeper film context: subscribe to the newsletter for thoughtful coverage of celebrity casting and filmmaking decisions — from Nolan’s casting choices to trends shaping star-filled ensembles — and other film topics that enrich understanding.
David Bowie delivers his lines with the same precision as his singing, creating a remarkably believable performance. It’s the kind of acting you’d typically see in hard-hitting independent films. Despite not receiving major award nominations, his performance, especially in the opening scene, was award-worthy. Interestingly, his co-star Andy Serkis shared that Bowie always felt like an outsider in the acting world, yet consistently delivered fantastic performances.
Nolan’s choice of Travis Scott is his most exciting celebrity casting since David Bowie in The Prestige. Hopefully, Scott will deliver a great performance.
Found an error? Send it info@movieweb.com so it can be corrected.
Read More
- Lacari banned on Twitch & Kick after accidentally showing explicit files on notepad
- Adolescence’s Co-Creator Is Making A Lord Of The Flies Show. Everything We Know About The Book-To-Screen Adaptation
- YouTuber streams himself 24/7 in total isolation for an entire year
- The Batman 2 Villain Update Backs Up DC Movie Rumor
- What time is It: Welcome to Derry Episode 8 out?
- Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Gameplay Trailer Released
- Dogecoin: Still Waiting for Liftoff 🚀
- James Cameron Gets Honest About Avatar’s Uncertain Future
- Elizabeth Olsen’s Love & Death: A True-Crime Hit On Netflix
- Warframe Turns To A Very Unexpected Person To Explain Its Lore: Werner Herzog
2026-02-03 18:34