At a Glance
- Christopher Nolan will direct a film adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey.
- Matt Damon leads the cast as Odysseus, joined by Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Tom Holland, and Zendaya.
- The film is scheduled to open in theaters on July 17, 2026.
- Why it matters: The project brings together a star-packed ensemble and a director known for epic storytelling, promising a high-profile cinematic event.
The upcoming film adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey has been announced by Universal Pictures, with Christopher Nolan set to direct and Matt Damon cast as the legendary hero Odysseus. The project will feature a lineup of A-listers, including Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Tom Holland, and Zendaya, and is slated for a theatrical release on July 17, 2026.
Universal Pictures Unveils the Project
In December 2024, Universal Pictures revealed that Nolan would follow his Oscar-winning Oppenheimer with a new venture into Greek mythology. The announcement highlighted the epic scope of the film, noting that The Odyssey was written between 750-650 B.C. and chronicles Ithaca’s king Odysseus on his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War.
Casting Highlights
The cast announcement came in stages, beginning with Damon in February 2025. Variety confirmed that Holland would portray Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, while Hathaway would play Penelope. Zendaya was cast as the goddess Athena, and the film also includes Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, and several other notable actors.
**Key Cast Members
- Matt Damon – Odysseus
- Anne Hathaway – Penelope
- Tom Holland – Telemachus
- Zendaya – Athena
- Jon Bernthal – Menelaus
- Charlize Theron – Circe
- Robert Pattinson – Antinous
- Lupita Nyong’o – (role unspecified)
- Elliot Page – (role unspecified)
- Benny Safdie – Agamemnon
- Himesh Patel – Eurylochus
- Mia Goth – Melantho
- John Leguizamo – Eumaeus
- Travis Scott – (role unspecified)
Damon’s Journey to the Role
Damon’s involvement was confirmed in a Universal X post featuring him in battle regalia. The caption read: “Matt Damon is Odysseus. A film by Christopher Nolan, #TheOdysseyMovie is in theaters July 17, 2026.” Damon and Nolan first collaborated on Interstellar in 2014, and Damon returned to Nolan’s world for Oppenheimer in 2023.
Holland’s First Collaboration with Nolan
Variety reported in July 2025 that Holland would play Telemachus. Holland accepted the part sight unseen, telling The Dish podcast in December 2024 that he had “no idea” what the movie was about and that the director only “loosely pitched” it to him.
Bennett’s Insight on Working with Nolan
Jon Bernthal, who portrays Menelaus, praised Nolan during an April 2025 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live: “You jump at an opportunity to work with somebody like that,” he said. “Even if he does give you a haircut like the one I’m rocking right now with this full beard … I’m fully being made fun of every day at my home.”
Theron’s First Experience Behind the Scenes
Theron, cast as Circe, told Variety in June 2025 that she was the “last one to show up” on set. She added, “I don’t know, I’m just going to talk to Chris about it, and we’ll see where it goes. It’s super intimidating … I’ll be like the new kid on the block.”
Pattinson’s Return to Nolan
Pattinson, who previously appeared in Tenet, will play Antinous. In a July 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Nolan mentioned that Pattinson had gifted him a collection of Oppenheimer speeches after Tenet wrapped, sparking a collaboration that led to Oppenheimer.
Hathaway’s Emotional Connection
Hathaway, returning to Nolan after more than a decade, expressed her feelings about the project: “I have so many feelings about it that I don’t even know how to articulate,” she said to Women’s Wear Daily in December 2024. “It fills me with so much joy … I love Chris and Emma Nolan so much, and to be invited into their world is one of the best places you can find yourself.”
Zendaya and Holland’s On-Screen Reunion
Zendaya will portray Athena, reuniting with Holland as a couple. She told Vanity Fair in November 2024 that acting opposite her fiancé feels “strangely comfortable.” “It’s like second nature, if anything,” Zendaya said.
Other Notable Cast Members
Lupita Nyong’o, Elliot Page, Benny Safdie, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, and Travis Scott also joined the cast, each bringing unique experience to the epic narrative.
Production Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Universal announces Nolan’s project | December 2024 |
| Damon cast as Odysseus | February 2025 |
| Holland confirmed as Telemachus | July 2025 |
| Release date announced | February 2025 |
| Theatrical release | July 17, 2026 |
Behind the Scenes
During a March 2025 interview on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, John Leguizamo highlighted Nolan’s approach to filmmaking: “He runs this like an indie film because he’s not doing it by committee, he’s not doing it by what the studio says.” He added, “He’s like an indie filmmaker but with crazy money.”
Nolan’s reputation for meticulous direction and grand storytelling is expected to shape the film’s visual and narrative style. The collaboration of seasoned actors and a director known for his immersive worlds promises a cinematic experience that pays homage to the ancient epic while bringing fresh cinematic techniques.
Conclusion
Universal Pictures’ announcement of Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey marks a significant addition to the director’s filmography and the upcoming 2026 cinematic lineup. With a star-filled cast and a release date set for July 17, 2026, the project is poised to attract global audiences and generate considerable buzz in the film community.
