After months of speculation about Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to his critical and box office hit “Oppenheimer,” which won him the Best Director Oscar, Universal Pictures unveiled before the holidays on X that he will be bringing Homer’s “The Odyssey” to the big screen.
“The Odyssey” is a classic piece of literature by Homer that is divided between 24 different books, preceded by “The Iliad.” It tells the 10-year journey story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he travels home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters multiple perils and discovers the death of his crewmates. Telemachus (Odysseus’ son), Penelope (Odysseus’ wife), Athena, Circe, Poseidon and Zeus are all major characters.
Historians and scholars date “The Odyssey” to sometime between 750-650 BC. The first printed Greek version became available in 1488. In the centuries since, it has remained one of the most studied, adapted and parodied stories ever with adaptations including the 1911 silent film by Giuseppe de Liguoro, 1954’s “Ulysses” with Kirk Douglas and the 2000 Coen brothers comedy “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
With a new adaptation on the horizon, here is everything we know so far about Nolan’s take on “The Odyssey.”
Who is cast in the film and have they worked with Nolan before?
Like the all-star cast that was assembled for “Oppenheimer,” “The Odyssey” is already filled with major talent in Hollywood — confirmed names include Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron.
Damon most recently appeared in “Oppenheimer” as Lt. General Leslie Groves after his under-the-radar appearance in “Interstellar.” Pattinson appeared in “Tenet” as Neil, alongside John David Washington and Elizabeth Debicki. Going back a little farther, Hathaway had a supporting role as an astronaut in “Interstellar” and Catwoman in “The Dark Knight Rises,” marking just over 10 years since her last time working with Nolan.
For Holland, Zendaya, Nyong’o and Theron, “The Odyssey” marks their first time collaborating with Nolan. Holland and Zendaya, who are a real-life couple, will reunite on screen after the Marvel “Spider-Man” films.
How will the film be shot?
According to the social media post from Universal Pictures, “The Odyssey” will be “shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology.” Nolan’s craft has become synonymous with IMAX as “Oppenheimer,” “Dunkirk,” “Tenet” and “Interstellar,” which was recently re-released in theaters for its 10th anniversary, were all shot with IMAX cameras.
Who else is creatively involved?
Nolan is also writing and producing the film, reuniting with his longtime producing and life partner Emma Thomas, who won the Best Picture Oscar for “Oppenheimer” alongside Nolan.
How faithful will this adaptation be to ‘The Odyssey’?
It remains unclear how closely Nolan intends to follow Homer’s famous story, although the social media post from Universal Pictures teases “a mythic action epic shot across the world.”
When is the film set to release?
The film is set to release worldwide on July 17, 2026 in theaters after a 2025 production start date. Nolan previously released “Oppenheimer,” “Dunkirk,” “Inception” and “The Dark Knight” in the same month.