The Odyssey Movie Preview

A brilliant director returns: Christopher Nolan's new work, "The Odyssey", will finally be released in 2026. Only a handful of filmmakers manage to pull off blockbusters that wow both critics and viewers so frequently. From "The Dark Knight" to "Inception" and "Interstellar" all the way to "Oppenheimer": Nolan has been winning over audiences for more than two decades and has earned his reputation as one of the greatest directors of our time. For his next movie project, he is taking on new challenges and dedicating himself to a mythical action epic. In this video, you can find out everything there is to know about "The Odyssey"!

The Plot of the Odyssey

It came as a huge surprise when Universal Pictures revealed the first details about the plot of Christopher Nolan's new film in December 2024. There had long been speculation as to what kind of story the successful director wanted to bring to the big screen next after his Oscar-winner "Oppenheimer". Rumors ranged from a historical vampire horror film to a helicopter action thriller.

However, it turns out that Nolan's next movie is based on Homer's famous Odyssey. The Greek poet's epic was probably written in the eighth century BC - making it one of the oldest literary works in the world. At the center of the story is the legendary hero Odysseus: as king of Ithaca, he fights for the Greeks in the Trojan War. After the end of the siege of Troy, Odysseus and his companions set off on their journey home. On this adventurous journey, which lasts ten years, Odysseus has to face a number of challenges. Among other things, he encounters the cyclops Polyphemus, seductive sirens, angry gods and six-headed sea monsters. Fans of epic tales and Greek mythology are sure to enjoy this fantastic story.

The Cast of "The Odyssey"

Not only does "The Odyssey" reach truly epic proportions in terms of its story, but the cast is equally impressive, with one Hollywood star following the next. We are particularly curious to find out who will take on which role. So far, this has only been confirmed for one actor: Matt Damon will play Odysseus. Universal announced this together with a first official picture of the production. It shows the star in full battle gear. Damon has already starred in Nolan's last film "Oppenheimer". The actor is of course known for many other movies, too, such as the "Bourne" series, the "Oceans" films and "The Martian".

Also part of the cast is Anne Hathaway, who has already appeared in front of the camera for Nolan in "Interstellar" and "The Dark Knight Rises". Hathaway could play Odysseus' wife Penelope. Also involved is "Mad Max: Fury Road" star Charlize Theron, who would also be an option for this role. However, Theron is rumored to play the sorceress Circe, whom Odysseus encounters on his journey. Circe is known for being able to turn people into animals.

An important part of the story will probably also be played by Odysseus' son: Telemachus. At the beginning, he is in Ithaca with his mother, but he then sets off in search of his father. Based on some leaked set pictures, the chances are pretty good that he will be played by none other than Tom Holland. It has been known for a while that the "Spider-Man" actor will be involved in "The Odyssey". It is the first collaboration between Christopher Nolan and the Marvel star.

Holland's girlfriend and "Spider-Man" colleague Zendaya has been cast as well. The "Euphoria" star is of course also known to many from the acclaimed "Dune" movies. Zendaya could possibly appear as Athena, the goddess of wisdom. However, Charlize Theron or Anne Hathaway would also be conceivable for this role.

But that's not all: another Hollywood A-lister, Robert Pattinson, is among the cast as well. "The Batman" actor has already starred in Christopher Nolan's "Tenet". In "The Odyssey", he could now be a possible candidate for the role of Poseidon, the god of the sea, or be part of Odysseus' crew.

If the information from Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman is to be believed, Nolan initially wanted a different superstar to play Poseidon: namely Robert Downey Jr.! The "Iron Man" actor was reportedly offered the role, but had to turn it down. Due to his involvement in the next "Avengers" movie, a role in "The Odyssey" was not possible in terms of availability.

Another cast member of the ancient epic is "The Punisher" actor Jon Bernthal. The Marvel star is also known for his role as Shane in the zombie series "The Walking Dead". Based on the leaked set pictures, it is likely that Bernthal's role will be seen alongside Tom Holland's character. It is therefore possible that he will be a companion to Telemachus in the search for his father.

In addition, "12 Years a Slave" and "Black Panther" actress Lupita Nyong'o will also make an appearance in "The Odyssey". According to rumors, she could play Clytemnestra, the wife of the Greek king Agamemnon. Likewise, "Inception" star Elliot Page, "Shogun" actor Cosmo Jarvis and Mia Goth, who is best known for horror films, are also part of the cast. One thing we can say for sure: This cast is definitely a dream come true.

Director, Screenplay and Music

Christopher Nolan will not only direct "The Odyssey", but he is also responsible for the film's screenplay. This is nothing new for the director, as it is standard for most of his movies. There is hardly anything more to be said about the Brit's filmography. In addition to the films already mentioned, Nolan is also behind modern classics such as "Memento", "The Prestige" and the World War II movie "Dunkirk".

By the way, in the early 2000s, Nolan almost directed a movie based on a work by the poet Homer: Namely "Troy". Director Wolfgang Petersen once said in an interview with the industry magazine Vanity Fair that Nolan was in talks to direct the historical film. But as we know, it never happened: instead, the director kicked off his popular Batman trilogy with "Batman Begins".

The music for "The Odyssey" will once again be provided by the Swedish film composer Ludwig Göransson. Göransson has already composed the score for the last two Nolan movies "Tenet" and "Oppenheimer". He even received the Academy Award for Best Film Score for "Oppenheimer".

Previous "Odyssey" Film Adaptations

Christopher Nolan is not the first filmmaker to devote himself to the Odyssey story. The story has already found its way into the movie theaters several times: the epic was first adapted as a silent film in 1911, while Kirk Douglas starred in "Ulysses" in 1954. This was followed in 1997 by a two-part television film, "The Odyssey". The Odyssey story has also inspired numerous other movies. One example of this is the satirical comedy "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" from the year 2000.

How Could "The Odyssey" be Told?

We are now eager to find out what approaches Christopher Nolan will choose for his interpretation of the epic. Complex narrative structures are typical of the director. The "time" factor also often plays a key role: Nolan has little interest in chronological narration, preferring to tell his stories independently of classical conventions.

No doubt, Nolan will also leave his mark on "The Odyssey". It is possible that the life of Odysseus will not be told in a linear manner, but will be viewed at different points in time. Due to the journeys of Odysseus and Telemachus, there should also be at least two narrative threads. Given the extent of the story, it can be assumed that Nolan will take his time. As a reminder, his last film "Oppenheimer" was three hours long. We expect that "The Odyssey" will follow suit.

What Will "The Odyssey" Look Like?

One thing seems certain: As always with Nolan, we will be presented with a visually stunning experience. In his movies, Nolan shows time and again that he is capable of creating stunning scenes. This time, we are particularly excited to see how the director will present the mythical creatures on the odysseys. After all, Nolan is known for focusing on practical effects. Cyclops, nymphs, gods and other mythical creatures are likely to pose unusual challenges for the director this time around.

At least he seems to have the budget for such an epic: 250 million dollars are reportedly envisaged for the project. This would make "The Odyssey" Nolan's most expensive production alongside "The Dark Knight Rises".

When and Where Will "The Odyssey" be Shot?

Filming of the mammoth project began in February 2025 and is expected to continue for several months. The scale of the project is also reflected in the number of filming locations: the plan is to shoot in Italy, the UK, Morocco and Greece. According to Universal, a brand-new IMAX film technology is being used.

When Will "The Odyssey" be Released in Theaters?

Until we can enjoy Odysseus' epic journey, we do need to wait a little more time, but at least there is already a release date: "The Odyssey" will premiere in movie theaters on July 17, 2026. Get the KinoCheck app to make sure you don't miss any exciting updates on the project!