Introduction
Besides enjoying a well-deserved day off from work (for most of us), cinephiles were also treated to the first photo of, possibly, the most eagerly awaited film of 2026, The Odyssey. On February 17, Universal Pictures posted an image of a bearded Matt Damon, in costume, as Odysseus. The studio teased the latest adaptation of Homer’s classic tome as:
“…a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology…”
The Story
Before Christmas, Nolan revealed that his next project would be an adaptation of Homer’s epic poem. Written around the 7th or 8th century, The Odyssey remains one of the oldest works of literature still widely read over twelve hundred years later. The story follows Odysseus on his dangerous journey home after the decade-long Trojan War. Odysseus, King of Ithaca, encounters Sirens, Calypso (a Nymph), Circe (a witch goddess), and Polyphemus (a Cyclops), among others. Odysseus is also shipwrecked on the island of Scheria and must fend off numerous suitors who have come for his wife.
The Cast
After cleaning house at the 2024 Academy Awards with his billion-dollar grossing critical and commercial hit Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan is truly in rarified air as a director. There is a who’s who list of Hollywood A-listers lining up to have a role in The Odyssey. Indeed, as predicted, the cast is truly impressive. Along with Damon, the director has secured the talents of Tom Holland. Zendaya. Lupita Nyong’o. Elliot Page. Anne Hathaway. Jon Bernthal. Charlize Theron. Robert Pattinson. Mia Goth and many others.
Production
Long-time Nolan collaborator Universal Pictures is the film’s distributor. They also announced that Nolan wrote the script and will serve as both director and producer. Nolan’s wife, Emma Thomas, will have a co-producing credit under the pair’s Syncopy banner. The Odyssey marks the third time that Nolan and Damon have worked together. Interstellar and Oppenheimer are the other collaborations. Production on The Odyssey is set to kick off in the Spring in Sicily, the setting of Odysseus’ travels in Homer’s original text.
