Christopher Nolan calls Odyssey “the Marvel of its day”

Christopher Nolan recently talked about how Homer’s The Odyssey has inspired both his own work and the broader genre of superhero films.

Christopher Nolan appeared on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ to talk about his work and his new movie, which is based on Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’.

Okay, so Matt Damon is playing Odysseus in this movie, which is awesome. And get this – Anne Hathaway is his wife, Penelope, and Tom Holland is playing their son, Telemachus! The cast is seriously stacked.

Nolan recently released a new trailer featuring Robert Pattinson in his role as Antonious. He avoided discussing any plot details about the film, but did talk about how the story has influenced both Marvel and DC comics.

Christpher Nolan says Marvel and DC come “pretty directly” from The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan points out that classic comic book characters have roots in ancient stories like The Odyssey. He believes these epics, particularly Homer’s, are the foundation for many modern superheroes and heavily influence both Marvel and DC comics.

It’s uncertain if Homer was a real person. In a sense, he was like the George Lucas of his era – a key creative force behind a large body of work.

Nolan explains that these films are similar to Marvel movies in their popularity, suggesting people have a long-held fascination with the idea of extraordinary beings – almost like gods – living among us. He sees modern comic books as a way we express that desire today.

The director worked with frequent partners Damon and Hathaway on this new film, but it marked his first collaboration with Tom Holland, who he describes as incredibly talented.

Nolan expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the individual again, describing him as an exceptionally talented person. He admitted that many others recognized this talent before he did, but emphasized just how impressive he is.

The film The Odyssey will be released on July 17, 2026. You can find our list of Christopher Nolan’s best movies here.

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2026-05-05 15:19