Following the critical and commercial success of Oppenheimer, Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan is set to adapt Homer's epic poem The Odyssey into a feature film.
Nolan has already stirred excitement for his upcoming film by casting major stars like Matt Damon and Tom Holland. Of course, Nolan hardly needs additional hype, especially after Oppenheimer became the third-highest-grossing film of 2023 earning nearly $975 million globally and sweeping seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and a coveted Best Director win for Nolan himself.
The Odyssey marks Nolan's second collaboration with Universal Pictures, following the success of Oppenheimer. Here's everything we know about the highly anticipated film so far.
Newsweek emailed spokespeople for Nolan and Universal for comment on Thursday.
'The Odyssey' Plot
Although specific details about the film's plot are still under wraps, The Odyssey is based on Homer's epic ancient Greek poem of the same name.
It chronicles the perilous 10-year journey of Odysseus as he strives to return to his home in Ithaca after the Trojan War. Along the way, he faces formidable challenges, including encounters with mythical creatures and divine interventions.
Meanwhile, in Ithaca, his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, struggle to preserve the kingdom, warding off relentless suitors who are convinced that Odysseus has died.
Written around the 8th century BC, The Odyssey is one of the most significant works of Western literature. Known for his innovative storytelling and complex narratives, Nolan's adaptation is anticipated to offer a fresh perspective on this timeless tale.
The Cast of 'The Odyssey'
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Damon, Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o and Charlize Theron.
While specific roles have not been officially disclosed, these actors are expected to bring depth to the iconic characters of the ancient Greek epic.
Hathaway confirmed being cast when she spoke to Women's Wear Daily for an article published on December 6. She previously worked with Nolan in The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar.
"I have so many feelings about it that I don't even know how to articulate. It fills me with so much joy, and I don't know how to talk about it. I love Chris and Emma Nolan so much, and to be invited into their world is, I mean, I know from experience it's one of the best places you can find yourself," she said.
"Getting to be invited twice really felt like something, three felt like it would've been greedy, so I never let myself hope that that would happen, and that it has makes me emotional, to be perfectly honest. It makes me feel like I'm doing something right."
During an appearance on The Dish podcast published December 18, Holland revealed that while he knew little about the project, he was excited.
"No, it hasn't started shooting. To be perfectly honest with you, I don't really know what it's about," he said.
"Everything is very very hush-hush, I met with [Nolan] it was awesome. He kind of loosely pitched what it was and I'm sure when he's ready he'll announce what it is."
Release Date and Production Details
Christopher Nolan's next film 'The Odyssey' is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer's foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.
— Universal Pictures (@UniversalPics) December 23, 2024Universal Pictures has announced that The Odyssey is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026. Production is planned across various global locations to authentically capture the diverse settings of Odysseus' journey, as he traveled from Troy to Ithaca via Africa and southern Europe.
"Christopher Nolan's next film 'The Odyssey' is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology," the studio posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
"The film brings Homer's foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026."
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