The Odyssey is a 2026 epic fantasy action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. It is an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic the Odyssey. The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and chronicles his journey home after the Trojan War.
๐ญ Cast and Characters
Matt Damon portrays Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca. Anne Hathaway portrays Penelope, Odysseus’s wife. Tom Holland plays Telemachus, Odysseus’s son. Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, a suitor of Penelope. Lupita Nyong’o plays a dual role as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. Zendaya plays Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Charlize Theron plays Calypso, a nymph. Additional cast includes Benny Safdie as Agamemnon, Logan Marshall-Green as Melanthius, Travis Scott as a bard, and Elliot Page as Sinon.
๐ Release and Production
The Odyssey premiered on July 6, 2026, at the Empire Leicester Square in London. It was released theatrically by Universal Pictures on July 17, 2026, in the United States and the United Kingdom. Nolan began writing the script in March 2024 and secured the project with Universal Pictures by October. Filming took place from February to August 2025 in Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, Western Sahara, Malta, and at the Universal Studios Lot in Los Angeles. The film has an estimated budget of $250 million. It is the first film to be shot entirely on IMAX’s 70 mm film cameras.
๐ Story and Inspiration
The film follows Odysseus on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. He encounters mythical beings such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and the nymph Calypso. Nolan studied several translations of the Odyssey. He depicted a realistic interpretation of Greek mythology. Nolan drew inspiration from the epic historical films Andrei Rublev and Ran, as well as the films of Ray Harryhausen. Nolan described The Odyssey as the largest and most challenging production of his career.
๐ Key Facts Table
| Category | Detail | Category | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Christopher Nolan | Lead Actor | Matt Damon as Odysseus |
| Release Date (US/UK) | July 17, 2026 | Budget | $250 million |
| Production Company | Syncopy | Filming Locations | Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, Western Sahara, Malta, Los Angeles |
| Premiere Date | July 6, 2026 | Filming Period | February to August 2025 |