After months of speculation about Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to his box office hit “Oppenheimer,” which won him a Best Director Oscar, Universal Pictures revealed before the holidays on X that it will bring Homer’s “The Odyssey” to mass markets. a screen.
The Odyssey is a classic piece of literature by Homer divided into 24 different books, preceded by the Iliad. The film tells the story of the 10-year journey of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he returns to his homeland after the Trojan War. Along the way, he faces multiple dangers and discovers the deaths of his crewmates. Telemachus (son of Odysseus), Penelope (wife of Odysseus), Athena, Circe, Poseidon and Zeus are all major characters.
Historians and scholars date the “Odyssey” to the period between 750-650 BC. The first printed Greek version became available in 1488. In the centuries that followed, it remained one of the most studied, adapted and parodied stories of all time with adaptations including the 1911 silent film with Giuseppe Di Liguro, the 1954 Ulysses with Kirk Douglas and the film “Ulysses” in 1954. 2000 Coen Brothers comedy “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
With a remake on the horizon, here’s everything we know so far about Nolan’s retelling of The Odyssey.
Who are the actors in the film and have they worked with Nolan before?
Like the all-star cast assembled for “Oppenheimer,” “The Odyssey” is already packed with major Hollywood talent — confirmed names include Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charles. Theron.
Damon recently appeared in “Oppenheimer” as Lt. Leslie Groves after appearing under the radar in “Interstellar.” Pattinson appeared in the movie “Tenet” as Neil, alongside John David Washington and Elizabeth Debicki. Going back a bit, Hathaway had supporting roles as an astronaut in Interstellar and Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, marking just over 10 years since she last worked with Nolan.
For Holland, Zendaya, Nyong’o and Theron, “The Odyssey” marks their first time collaborating with Nolan. Holland and Zendaya, a real-life couple, will reunite on screen after the Marvel “Spider-Man” films.
How will the movie be shot?
According to Universal Pictures’ social media post, The Odyssey will be “filmed worldwide using all-new IMAX film technology.” Nolan’s craft has become so synonymous with IMAX that “Oppenheimer,” “Dunkirk,” “Tenet” and “Interstellar,” which were recently re-released in theaters for their 10th anniversary, were shot on IMAX cameras.
Who else is creatively involved?
Nolan is also writing and producing the film, reuniting with his producing partner and longtime collaborator Emma Thomas, who won a Best Picture Oscar for Oppenheimer alongside Nolan.
How faithful is this adaptation of “The Odyssey”?
It’s still unclear how closely Nolan intends to follow Homer’s famous story, though Universal Pictures’ social media post teases a “mythical epic film set around the world.”
When is the movie scheduled to be released?
The film is scheduled to be released worldwide on July 17, 2026 in theaters following a production start date of 2025. Nolan previously released “Oppenheimer,” “Dunkirk,” “Inception,” and “The Dark Knight” in the same month.