The Odyssey": Christopher Nolan's Epic Greek Saga Gets a Cinematic Preview
The next cinematic event from Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan is taking shape, promising a "mythic action epic" shot entirely with brand new IMAX film technology. Titled
, this highly anticipated adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek poem is set for an exclusive theatrical release on July 17, 2026.
A Vision of Ancient Greece for the Big Screen
Universal Pictures and Nolan's production company Syncopy are bringing Homer's foundational saga to IMAX screens, promising a visually stunning and immersive experience. The film aims to capture the grand scale of Greek mythology with a level of weight and credibility previously unseen in A-budget Hollywood productions.
The film's logline is simple but powerful: "Odysseus, king of Ithaca, embarks on a perilous journey to return home after the Trojan War." The narrative will chronicle his 10-year voyage home, where he faces a litany of mythological challenges, including the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe, while his wife Penelope and son Telemachus deal with a palace full of suitors back in Ithaca.
The Star-Studded Cast
Nolan has assembled an impressive ensemble cast to bring this epic to life:
Matt Damon stars as the lead character, Odysseus, the cunning king of Ithaca.
Tom Holland plays Telemachus, Odysseus's son, who begins his own journey to find his father.
Anne Hathaway is cast as Odysseus's loyal wife, Penelope.
Charlize Theron takes on the role of Circe, the powerful sorceress.
Robert Pattinson portrays Antinous (a suitor), while Zendaya is rumored to play the goddess Athena.
Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong'o, and Mia Goth are also part of the expansive cast.
Filming in Mythic Locations
True to Nolan's style of using practical effects, filming took place across real-world locations that echo the ancient text, including Morocco, various regions of Greece (Pylos, Methoni Castle), Sicily's Aegadian Islands, Iceland (for scenes in the Greek underworld of Hades), and Scotland.
The Odyssey premieres in theaters on July 17, 2026