Christopher Nolan returns with a grand new film entitled The Odyssey, inspired by the renowned ancient Greek poem attributed to Homer. The project is being produced by Nolan’s own company, Syncopy, and will be distributed by Universal Pictures.
Matt Damon takes on the role of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who embarks on a journey to return home after the Trojan War to be reunited with his wife, Penelope. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal.
The film was announced in October 2024, confirming Nolan’s collaboration with Universal on his next project after the release of Oppenheimer in 2023. Casting took place in the following months, with Universal officially revealing in December that the film would adapt Homer’s epic.
Filming commenced in late February 2025, taking place in various stunning locations, including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Los Angeles, Iceland, the UK, Scotland, and Ireland. With a massive production budget of around $250 million, The Odyssey will be Nolan’s most expensive film to date and will mark the first major blockbuster shot entirely using IMAX film cameras.
The film is scheduled for release in US theaters on July 17, 2026. Alongside this announcement, the first official poster was unveiled, featuring the tagline “Defy the Gods.” Fans can anticipate a teaser trailer to debut alongside screenings of Jurassic World Rebirth starting from July 4, 2025.
While the narrative focuses on Matt Damon as Odysseus and his challenging journey home, the cast is filled with familiar faces. Charlize Theron, portraying the enchantress Circe, expressed her enthusiasm for joining the project.
In a statement to Variety, she remarked, “I will be the new kid on the block. Everybody will know what they are doing except me.” In Greek mythology, Circe is known for her mystical abilities and is often depicted as the daughter of Helios, the sun god.
Nolan’s partnership with Matt Damon is not unprecedented; they previously collaborated on Oppenheimer and Interstellar. Other returning actors, such as Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson, have also joined the cast in undisclosed roles, while newcomers like Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, and Jon Bernthal bring added excitement to the ensemble.
Some fans have already glimpsed images of Matt Damon in character as Odysseus. Although critics have noted historical inaccuracies in the armor, the film is expected to present breathtaking visuals. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick and composer Ludwig Göransson, both returning from Oppenheimer, are lending their expertise to this project.
Christopher Nolan opted to create The Odyssey instead of directing Troy, a project he was once linked to years ago. This story zeroes in on Odysseus’s perilous and lengthy return journey post-Trojan War, rather than recounting well-trodden Roman narratives such as those of Caesar or Antony and Cleopatra, which Nolan believes have been revisited too often.
Production remains in progress in Scotland and is expected to continue in Ireland and the UK. With its impressive budget and advanced IMAX technology, The Odyssey is poised to be an epic and visually stunning cinematic experience. Universal has marked July 17, 2026, as the release date, and fans eagerly anticipate this mythical action adventure on the big screen.
