Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey': Plot, Release Date, Rumors & Everything You Need to Know
Nolan's project could set new standards for epic cinema.
After the success of Oppenheimer, which earned him seven Oscars, Christopher Nolan is making a major creative shift.
His new project is a large-scale adaptation of Homer's seminal epic poem, The Odyssey, which recounts the 10-year journey of Odysseus back home after the Trojan War.
With a budget exceeding $250 million, it will be the director's most expensive film to date. The project has generated a lot of excitement and questions: how will the master of sci-fi and complex narratives approach an ancient Greek myth full of gods and wonders?
When Will 'The Odyssey' Be Released?
The world premiere of The Odyssey is scheduled for July 17, 2026.
What Will 'The Odyssey' Be About?
The movie will chronicle the arduous journey of the cunning King Odysseus of Ithaca as he attempts to return home after his triumph in the Trojan War.
Along the way, he and his crew encounter the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, the sorceress Circe, and the sea god Poseidon, among other mythical threats. Back in Ithaca, his faithful wife, Penelope, desperately resists the advances of the suitors who believe that Odysseus is dead.
Who Is in the Cast of 'The Odyssey'?
Nolan has assembled the most impressive cast of his career, surpassing even the ensemble of Oppenheimer. The leading roles are played by:
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Matt Damon as Odysseus, King of Ithaca;
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Tom Holland as Telemachus, his son;
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Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Odysseus' wife;
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Zendaya as the goddess Athena;
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Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Penelope's main suitor;
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Charlize Theron as the sorceress Circe.
The movie also features Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Lupita Nyong'o, Mia Goth, Himesh Patel, Elliot Page, Samantha Morton, and Travis Scott.
Who's Making 'The Odyssey'?
According to available information, Christopher Nolan has enlisted his trusted collaborators to recreate ancient Greece. Hoyte van Hoytema, the cinematographer for Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet, and Oppenheimer, will work on The Odyssey.
Ludwig Göransson, who composed the music for Oppenheimer and Tenet, will also return to work with Nolan. Emma Thomas, Nolan's wife and a producer on many of his films, will produce The Odyssey.
What Was Shown in 'The Odyssey' Trailer?
The first trailer, released on December 22, 2025, focuses on the Trojan War. It showcases large-scale battle scenes, the construction of the famous Trojan Horse, and the stormy beginning of Odysseus' sea voyage.
Mysterious and menacing shadows flicker across the screen, hinting at Odysseus' future encounters with the Cyclops and other monsters.
'The Odyssey' Will Be the First Movie Shot Entirely With IMAX Cameras
Christopher Nolan, a passionate advocate and innovator of the IMAX format, is attempting to set a new record this time. The entire movie will be shot using this technology, which promises unprecedented detail, depth, and immersion.
This choice demonstrates the director's ambition to create not just a film adaptation but also a visionary cinematic experience that will transport viewers to the heart of an ancient epic.
