The Odyssey: Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan’s New Movie
Christopher Nolan is already working on The Odyssey, a film based on Homer’s famous poem with some of the most important actors of the moment. This project adds to the long list of films with which Nolan has become a film legend and one of the best directors in history, and could be very different from anything we saw before him. Before working on this project, Christopher Nolan took a well-deserved Oscar for Best Director for Oppenheimer, a film inspired by real events that told the story of the father of the Atomic Bomb and that of the scientists who were part of the Manhattan Project, with which the United States sought to build the perfect weapon to win the war. Now, Nolan is leaving for an epic Greek story that follows a character named Odysseus, who, after the battle, takes a long and dangerous journey to try to get home.
A few days ago, the great cinephile mystery of the season was revealed: what was he up to Christopher Nolan in his second association with Universal Pictures after Oppenheimer. In the face of the questionable treatment of Warner Bros. to the filmmakers, Nolan decided to abandon the major with whom he had worked from the beginning of his career, getting a deal with the competition that led to what was one of the greatest successes of 2023. Penetrated with Barbie within the phenomenon Barbenheimer, Oppenheimer raised 975 million dollars and got the main Oscars of Best direction and best movie. After such a triumph Nolan could do whatever, he wanted, enjoying Universal’s complete confidence. So he wanted to bet big and his new project is nothing less than an epic adaptation of The Odyssey of Homer.
Which Actors Will Be in The Odyssey?
The first thing that was reported from the Nolan film is that it was going to have an impressive cast, made up of some of the most sought-after actors of the moment. According to Variety, La Odisea, which will hit theaters in 2026, will feature Matt Damon, who was part of the Oppenheimer cast, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, who worked with Nolan in his Batman movies and Interstellar, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron. For now, it is not known if the film will tell a modern version of this story or if it will be a period film.
Christopher Nolan Has Assembled a Stellar Cast to Bring this Story to Life:
- Tom Holland will play Odysseus, the brave Greek hero.
- Zendaya It will be Penelope, the faithful wife waiting for the return of her husband.
- Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon Frequent Nolan collaborators will have key roles.
- Lupita Nyong’o and Robert Pattinson will also contribute their talent to this production.
In a recent interview, Tom Holland expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the project, although he admitted that he knows few details about the production. “To be totally honest, I don’t know what this is about. I am very excited, but there has been quite a bit of silence about the project. I met [Nolan] and it was amazing”, said the actor.
What is The Odyssey About?
The film is based on the epic poem of Homer, where the story of a king named Odysseus (who could be played by Matt Damon), who fights alongside his men in the bloody Trojan War, is told. When the war ends, Odysseus sets out on the journey back home. Odysseus and his men make a 10-year journey, faced with dangers, uncertainty, and uncertain territories, hoping to reunite with his wife Penelope, who awaits him with the conviction that her husband is alive, and her son, Telemachus (which could be interpreted by Tom Holland). As the hero struggles to return home, many try to conquer Penelope and marry her to take control of the throne.
When Odysseus finally returns, he is only recognized by his dog, but little by little he manages to show his son that he is him and that he is back, and together they fight to help him regain his throne. The story also follows Penelope in the early years without her husband, where she must take care of her son and protect the throne, while several men try to convince her to agree to marry them to leave Odysseus, of whom nothing has been known since he went to war, outside of Ithaca. Telemachus desperately searches for news of his father and eventually manages to discover that he is alive and trying to return to them. On his way, Odysseus runs into mythical characters who try to stop him and put him in danger, but it is his love for his family and the desire to see her again that helps him to keep moving forward and overcome the biggest challenges. And yes, Odysseus, who is one of the great heroes of Greek mythology, also finds a way to eliminate all those men who tried to conquer his wife and steal her throne.
An Original Story: The Epic of Odysseus
The film follows the classic story of Odysseus, the Greek hero who sets out on a 10-year journey to return home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he faces titanic tests, from sea monsters and sirens to the wrath of the gods. This adaptation promises to capture not only action and adventure but also the human emotions and dilemmas that make “The Odyssey” one of the most iconic stories of all time.
Official Synopsis
“After the fall of Troy, Odysseus, a cunning warrior and king of Ithaca, sets out on a long and dangerous journey back home. Over 10 years, he faces impossible challenges that will test his ingenuity, strength, and determination. With his kingdom in danger and his family waiting, Odysseus will have to overcome the most difficult tests of his life to claim what is his”.
A Project That Follows The Nolan Tradition
The release date, July 17, 2026, is not accidental. Nolan has demonstrated a preference for releases in July, a strategy he has used for several of his previous successes. Oppenheimer (2023), Dunkirk (2017), and Origin (2010) premiered this month, consolidating his reputation as a master of the summer blockbuster in the north. This pattern reinforces the expectation that The Odyssey will be another great film event.
The film is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2025, Universal Pictures detailed. Production will be in charge of Syncopy, the company founded by Nolan and his wife, Emma Thomas, in collaboration with Universal. This will be the second joint project between both entities after Oppenheimer, marking a new stage in the director’s career after his professional separation from Warner Bros., a studio with which he produced titles such as The Origin and the trilogy of The Night Knight.
The Relevance of The Odyssey in Cinema
Homer’s work, composed in the 7th century B.C., has been adapted to cinema on several occasions. Among the most outstanding versions are the 1911 silent film directed by Giuseppe de Liguoro, Ulysses (1954) starring Kirk Douglas, and the modern reinterpretation Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) by the Coen brothers. However, this will be the first time that Odysseus, his wife Penelope, and his son Telemachus Take it to the big screen with IMAX technology, promising an unprecedented visual experience.
The plot will focus on Odysseus’ long and dangerous journey to return to Ithaca after the Trojan War, facing challenges such as Cyclops Polyphemus, the sorceress Circe, and the sirens. Meanwhile, at home, Penelope and Telemachus deal with the absence of the hero and the pressure of suitors to take their place.
Recent Reviews for Nolan and Thomas
The announcement of The Odyssey comes shortly after Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas were recognized with the titles of Sir and Give to me, respectively, by King Carlos III. According to an official statement from the Royal Family, this honor was awarded to them for their “exceptional contribution to cinema”, highlighting their work in productions such as the trilogy of The Night knight and Oppenheimer. This recognition underscores Nolan’s influence and impact on the global film industry.
Expectations for 2026
With a first-rate cast, a classic story, and the promise of an innovative film experience, The Odyssey is emerging as one of the most anticipated premieres of 2026. Nolan’s followers, accustomed to his ability to combine complex narratives with visual shows, hope that this adaptation of Homer will be another milestone in his career. Meanwhile, the public will have to wait a year and a half to see how the British director reinterprets one of the most iconic stories in universal literature.
Filmed with Cutting-Edge Technology
Following his passion for pushing the boundaries of cinema, Nolan has chosen to use state-of-the-art IMAX film technology to capture the epic landscapes and intense action sequences of “The Odyssey”. The production has been carried out in various locations around the world, seeking to recreate the authentic majesty of the Mediterranean.
Christopher Nolan and his Vision
With “The Odyssey”, Nolan delves into the world of mythology, a new terrain for the director known as “Inception” and “Interstellar”. In this new production, he combines elements of action, drama, and fantasy to offer a cinematographic experience that promises to redefine the genre of epics.
“The Odyssey” not only seeks to be an adaptation of one of the greatest stories ever told, but also a milestone in modern cinematography. With a front-line cast, an immortal narrative, and the direction of Christopher Nolan, this film is already emerging as one of the most anticipated of 2026. Stay tuned for new updates and get ready to have a unique cinema experience.
