7 Facts About Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' That Even Die-Hard Fans Might Have Missed

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has already become one of the year's biggest films – it has been acclaimed by critics and viewers alike, enjoyed strong international box office results, and is sure to win numerous awards during the upcoming awards season.

However, behind the spectacular IMAX footage and stellar cast are many details of which only the most observant viewers are aware.

1. Part of the Film Was Nearly Lost

The scenes filmed in Scotland were nearly destroyed when customs officers opened boxes of undeveloped film as the crew was leaving the country.

2. In 2004, Christopher Nolan Almost Made an Adaptation of the 'Iliad'

In 2003, Nolan was one of the directors invited to direct an adaptation of Homer's Iliad. Although the movie titled Troy was ultimately directed by Wolfgang Petersen, the idea of working with ancient Greek legends remained an undeniable draw for the English director.

Nolan had toyed with the idea of directing a movie based on Homer for 20 years and was only able to do so after the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer.

3. The Cyclops in the Movie Wasn't Created Using Computer Graphics

Francisco Goya's painting of Saturn devouring his children inspired the depiction of the one-eyed Cyclops, Polyphemus. To bring the Cyclops to life, a massive puppet was created. Behind the scenes, actor Bill Irwin portrayed Polyphemus in a motion capture suit.

4. Filming 'The Odyssey' Was a Challenge for Matt Damon

Matt Damon had a tough time during filming: he was doused with water from hoses, due to the lack of roads in Sicily, he walked 45 minutes every day for two weeks to Santa Caterina Castle, which served as Odysseus' palace. Also, he was soaked in the rain while filming scenes in the Underworld of Hades during Iceland's white nights.

Morocco, where the scene of Odysseus' imprisonment with the nymph Calypso was filmed, was no paradise either – it was extremely windy, and sand constantly blew into the actor's eyes.

5. For His Adaptation, Nolan Chose a Modern Language Over an Archaic One

Nolan's decision to find a language with emotional rather than intellectual meaning for people resulted in the use of modern dialogue in the script.

6. Ludwig Göransson Created a Very Unusual Soundtrack for 'The Odyssey'

Three-time Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, composer of The Odyssey, received strict instructions from Nolan not to use an orchestra for the score. Göransson rented 35 bronze gongs of various sizes, experimented with them, and recorded them using synthesizers.

Also, Nolan cast rapper Travis Scott as the bard. The reason is simple: stories were passed down in the form of oral poetry, similar to modern rap, from generation to generation.

7. The Ship on Which Odysseus Sails Is an Authentic Norwegian Draken

One of the most impressive practical effects in The Odyssey is the ship on which Matt Damon's character attempts to sail home. It's the real Viking ship, the Draken, which Nolan found in Norway.