Christopher Nolan’s next film The Odyssey - all we know about 'mythic action' flick

Oppenheimer star, Christopher Nolan, is directing another hugely-anticipated flick, which is based on Homer's epic poem and stars Matt Damon in the lead role

Christopher Nolan's next film, The Odyssey, already looks like it's going to be a huge hit.

Still basking in the success of Oppenheimer, which won Best Picture at the Oscars this year, the director is adapting Homer's epic poem The Odyssey. Universal Pictures has described the film as “a mythic action epic”, and is being shot using “brand new” IMAX technology.

The film, which starts shooting in January and will be released in 2026, already has some huge names attached. Matt Damon stars in the lead role, alongside Tom Holland and his girlfriend, Zendaya. They are joined by Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron and Robert Pattinson.

Homer’s epic ancient Greek poem tells the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his danger-filled journey home after the Trojan War, exploring themes of heroism, loyalty and the struggle against divine will.

In October, it emerged that Nolan turned down the chance to return to Warner Bros. for the film despite reportedly being offered a seven-figure sum. The director was with the behemoth from 2002’s Insomnia until the release of science fiction flick, Tenet, in 2020.

His decision to move to Universal reportedly came after he criticised Warner Bros. over their plans to release their 2021 film slate simultaneously in cinemas and on streaming service HBO Max.

Nolan's stunning biopic, Oppenheimer, which followed the life of the father of the atomic bomb, broke world records as it officially became the highest-grossing biopic of all time with $900million in worldwide box office sales.

Despite having a more limited audience with its R-rating, the film highlighting the life of physicist Robert J. Oppenheimer dethroned the previous record-holder 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. The famous flick directed by Bryan Singer and Dexter Fletcher had a PG-13 rating as it followed the life of the legendary singer Freddie Mercury and his famous rock band Queen.

Inspired by true events, the popular biopic portrayed theoretical physicist Dr Oppenheimer following his personal life and creation of the atomic bomb during World War II. The controversial invention led by Oppenheimer brought about the world's first nuclear explosion that took the lives of hundreds of thousands Japanese civilians.

The film won a host of Oscars, including Best Picture, beating Barbie to the prize in the so-called Barbenheimer face-off. Accepting his award on the star-studded stage earlier this year, Nolan said: "Movies are just a little bit over 100 years old. We don’t know where this incredible journey is going from here. But to know that you think I’m a meaningful part of it means the world to me.” After a sweet shoutout to his wife, he concluded: "Thank you to those who have believed in me my whole career."

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