Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’: New Details and Star-Studded Cast Revealed!

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With each new cast announcement for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming movie, the anticipation and buzz surrounding his next project after the critically acclaimed and commercially successful “Oppenheimer,” which earned him an Academy Award for Best Director, continues to intensify.

The epic tale ‘The Odyssey,’ penned by the legendary Homer, is split into 24 separate books, following ‘The Iliad.’ This timeless work recounts the decade-long voyage of King Odysseus from Ithaca, as he navigates his way home after the Trojan War. Throughout his travels, he faces numerous hardships and learns of the demise of his shipmates. Key figures in this story include Telemachus (Odysseus’ son), Penelope (his wife), Athena, Circe, Poseidon, and Zeus.

Scholars and experts estimate that “The Odyssey” was written somewhere between 750-650 BC. The first printed Greek version of this classic was published in 1488. Over the centuries since then, it has continued to be a widely studied, reimagined, and satirized tale, with adaptations such as Giuseppe de Liguoro’s 1911 silent film, the 1954 movie “Ulysses” starring Kirk Douglas, and the Coen brothers’ 2000 comedy “O Brother, Where Art Thou?

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but share the latest scoop on Christopher Nolan’s upcoming interpretation of “The Odyssey.” Here’s what we’ve got so far!

Have any photos been released from the film?

Universal unveiled the initial snapshot of the movie on X, accompanied by this message: “Matt Damon plays Odysseus. Directed by Christopher Nolan, ‘The Odyssey Film’ hits theaters on July 17, 2026.

The article verifies that Matt Damon is set to portray King Odysseus of Ithaca as the main character, but Universal Studios has not disclosed who else in the extensive ensemble will take on what roles.

Who are the latest additions to the cast?

Elliot Page (from “Inception”), Himesh Patel (“Tenet”), Bill Irwin (“Interstellar”) and Samantha Morton (“Minority Report”) have recently been announced as new cast members for “The Odyssey”. They will be joining Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, Rafi Gavron, Shiloh Fernandez, along with several other talented actors in the production.

Goth is recognized for her more recent horror film roles in “MaXXXine” and “Pearl,” as well as Luca Guadagnino’s “Suspiria,” and the films “Infinity Pool” and “A Cure for Wellness.” On the other hand, Leguizamo has been active in acting for several decades, receiving Emmy nominations for “When They See Us” and “Waco,” and also appearing in movies such as “Encanto,” “Romeo + Juliet,” “John Wick,” and “The Menu.

Gavron featured in the movie “A Star is Born” alongside Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, marking a significant milestone in his career. He also made an impression in Anthony Minghella’s film “Breaking and Entering,” where he acted alongside Jude Law and Juliette Binoche. On the other hand, Fernandez is recognized for his roles in “Evil Dead,” “Euphoria,” and “United States of Tara.

Who else is cast in the film and have they worked with Nolan before?

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but be thrilled by the stellar lineup that “The Odyssey” has managed to gather in Hollywood. With Damon confirmed as one of the stars, alongside big names like Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, and Jon Bernthal – a cast that recently won the best ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild for “Oppenheimer”. While Damon’s role is clear, the remaining roles are yet to be assigned, leaving us fans with plenty of intriguing speculation!

On the New Additions page, it’s worth noting that Patel, Irwin, Damon, Pattinson, and Hathaway have all collaborated with director Christopher Nolan in the past. Interestingly, Irwin lent his voice to TARS, the robot character, in “Interstellar.” More recently, Damon played Lt. General Leslie Groves in “Oppenheimer,” following a less prominent role in “Interstellar.” Pattinson starred alongside John David Washington and Elizabeth Debicki in “Tenet” as Neil. Going back to around a decade ago, Hathaway was a supporting cast member as an astronaut in “Interstellar,” and she also played Catwoman in “The Dark Knight Rises,” marking her most recent collaboration with Nolan.

For Holland, Zendaya, Nyong’o, and Theron, “The Odyssey” signifies their initial collaboration with Nolan. Following their roles in the Marvel “Spider-Man” series, Holland and Zendaya will share the screen once more.

Has any footage from the film been revealed?

The film hasn’t been released yet, but Universal’s distribution head Jim Orr hinted at it during CinemaCon. He told the audience that the movie will be a groundbreaking, once-in-a-lifetime cinematic triumph that even Homer might approve of. He characterized it as dynamic and contemporary with an unexpected twist from beyond our world.

Several actors have voiced their opinions about the movie as well, among them being cast member Leguizamo. He remarked that Nolan has given the production an independent feel. “You know what’s cool? Even though he’s got a substantial budget, it doesn’t feel big because he’s not making decisions based on committees or studio input,” Leguizamo explained in a recent interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.

How will the film be shot?

As a dedicated supporter, I’m thrilled to share that, according to a social media post from Universal Pictures, “The Odyssey” will be capturing the world using groundbreaking IMAX film technology. Known for his exceptional work, director Christopher Nolan’s style has become deeply associated with Imax. Films like “Oppenheimer,” “Dunkirk,” “Tenet,” and even “Interstellar,” which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in theaters with a successful re-release, were all filmed using Imax cameras.

Where will be the film be shot?

According to exclusive reports from EbMaster, part of the upcoming movie will be shot in Sicily – famed as one of Odysseus’ travel destinations in the epic poem. Filming is set to commence on Favignana, often referred to as “the goat island,” believed by many to be where Homer imagined Odysseus disembarking with his crew. Given Nolan’s dedication to practical effects and sets, it’s not shocking that insiders suggest some of the budget will be allocated for filming on Sicilian islands. Additional shooting locations confirmed include the U.K., Morocco, Scotland, and Ireland, making “The Odyssey” a worldwide production.

Who else is creatively involved?

Nolan is not only scripting and overseeing the production of the movie, but he’s teaming up once again with his long-term producing partner and personal friend Emma Thomas – the duo who jointly won an Oscar for “Oppenheimer”. For the Sicily scenes, Wildside, an affiliate of Fremantle, is handling the filming duties.

How faithful will this adaptation be to ‘The Odyssey’?

It’s yet to be determined how closely Nolan will adhere to Homer’s renowned tale, but a hint from Universal Pictures suggests a global-scale mythical action adventure is in store.

When is the film set to release?

The movie is scheduled for global premiere in cinemas on July 17, 2026, following a production kick-off in 2025. Notably, director Nolan has unveiled his masterpieces like “Oppenheimer”, “Dunkirk”, “Inception”, and “The Dark Knight” during the same month in the past.

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2025-04-15 00:47