The Odyssey (2026 film)
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Prepare yourself for an epic journey. Christopher Nolan, the visionary behind Oppenheimer, presents The Odyssey. This is not just a film; it's an ancient Greek epic reborn as a breathtaking action fantasy. Matt Damon embodies Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca, embarking on a long and perilous voyage home after the brutal Trojan War. His ultimate goal: to reunite with his beloved wife, Penelope. Joining Damon in this colossal production is an all-star cast, including Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal. Produced by Nolan and his wife, Emma Thomas, through their company Syncopy, The Odyssey is set to redefine cinematic scale.
Announced by Universal Pictures in December 2024, Nolan began crafting the screenplay in March 2024, securing the project at Universal by October. Casting quickly followed, with Damon confirmed as Odysseus in February 2025. Filming spanned from February to August 2025, gracing diverse international landscapes from Morocco and Greece to Italy, Scotland, Iceland, and the vast Western Sahara. With a staggering $250 million budget, The Odyssey marks Nolan's most expensive endeavor to date and his first entirely shot on IMAX's 70 mm film cameras.
The Odyssey is slated for a grand theatrical release in the United States on July 17, 2026.
The story plunges you into the heart of Odysseus's legendary quest. Follow the king of Ithaca as he navigates treacherous seas and encounters mythical beings – the monstrous Cyclops Polyphemus, the enchanting Sirens, and the sorceress-goddess Circe. All this, in his desperate attempt to return to Penelope.
The development of this monumental film began after Christopher Nolan's Oscar success for Oppenheimer. He dove into writing the script, and by October, Universal Pictures confirmed his next project. Nolan, alongside his wife Emma Thomas, is producing through their company Syncopy. Matt Damon, a frequent collaborator with Nolan, was in talks for the lead, fresh off their work on Oppenheimer and Interstellar. Unlike Oppenheimer, which Universal acquired, this film was set up directly with the studio, with a July 17, 2026 release date. Details were kept under wraps, fueling widespread speculation about its subject matter, from vampire tales to spy thrillers. But all rumors were eventually debunked. Damon’s casting was confirmed, followed by Tom Holland. Then, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, and Charlize Theron joined the ranks, all set for significant roles.
In December 2024, Universal officially revealed the title: The Odyssey, a bold adaptation of Homer's epic. Described as a "mythic action epic," it promised a global spectacle. Nolan’s past engagement with Homer's works, specifically his consideration for a film based on The Iliad, now culminates in this grand vision. With its $250 million budget, it stands as Nolan's most ambitious project. He envisioned The Odyssey as "foundational," drawing inspiration from his childhood fascination with Greek mythology, particularly the works of Ray Harryhausen. The cast expanded further in early 2025, with a host of talented actors joining, including Jon Bernthal and Mia Goth. Even Cosmo Jarvis was initially cast but had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts, replaced by Logan Marshall-Green.
The first look at Matt Damon as Odysseus, released in February 2025, confirmed his portrayal, though historical accuracy of his costume sparked debate. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick returned to collaborate with Nolan.
Principal photography commenced on February 25, 2025, in Morocco, transforming the ancient village of Aït Benhaddou into the city of Troy. Hoyte van Hoytema, Nolan's trusted cinematographer, reunited for the project. The Odyssey is Nolan's first film to be shot entirely on IMAX film cameras, utilizing over two million feet of IMAX 70 mm film. Filming then moved to Greece, capturing scenes of the Cyclops Polyphemus and ancient palaces. The production, under the working title "Charlie's Tale," received a significant cash rebate for its time in Greece.
By March 27, the production journeyed to Sicily, Italy, believed to be the mythical "goat island." Water-borne filming continued throughout the Aeolian Islands, bringing the island of Aeolia to life. After a brief studio stint in Los Angeles, the crew headed to Scotland, followed by remote regions of Iceland. Filming in Iceland explored dramatic landscapes, before returning to Scotland for coastal scenes. Charlize Theron filmed her scenes as Circe in late July.
A controversial four-day shoot took place in the White Dune near Dakhla, Western Sahara, sparking strong criticism from the Polisario Front and organizers of the Sahara International Film Festival, who accused the production of "whitewashing Morocco's colonialism." The Moroccan Cinematographic Center, however, hailed the production as a boost for Morocco's film industry. The festival organizers called for the scenes to be removed or consent to be sought from the Sahrawi people. Filming also occurred in Malta, with additional shoots expected in the UK and Ireland. The extensive production wrapped in Los Angeles on August 8, 2025, after a 91-day shoot.
DNEG is handling the film's visual effects, with Andrew Jackson as supervisor. Jennifer Lame is editing, and Ludwig Göransson returns to compose the score, following their successful collaboration on Oppenheimer.
The marketing campaign kicked off with a 70-second teaser trailer, debuting exclusively in theaters ahead of Jurassic World Rebirth. Though intended for online release later, it leaked, igniting fan frenzy. Critics praised its evocative nature, highlighting the haunting imagery and Bernthal's ominous narration. The trailer was noted for continuing Nolan's tradition of cryptic, mood-driven teasers, but some critics expressed reservations about the American accents of British actors playing Greek characters and the film's muted aesthetic.
The Odyssey is scheduled for a spectacular theatrical release by Universal Pictures in the United States on July 17, 2026, presented in IMAX, IMAX 70 mm film, and premium large formats. In an unprecedented move, tickets for select IMAX 70 mm screenings went on sale a full year before release, with many selling out within hours.
The Odyssey is an upcoming epic action fantasy film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. An adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic the Odyssey, the film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, and chronicles his long and perilous journey home after the Trojan War as he attempts to reunite with his wife, Penelope. The ensemble cast also features Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway (Penelope), Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal, among others. Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas produce the film through their production company, Syncopy.
The film was announced by Universal Pictures in December 2024, with Nolan having begun writing the screenplay in March 2024 and securing the project at Universal by October. Casting commenced shortly thereafter, with Damon cast in the lead role in February 2025. Principal photography took place from February to August 2025 across multiple international locations, including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, and Western Sahara. With an estimated budget of $250 million, the film is the most expensive of Nolan's career and his first to be shot entirely on IMAX's 70 mm film cameras.
The Odyssey is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States by Universal Pictures on July 17, 2026.
== Premise ==
The Odyssey follows Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, on his long and perilous journey home following the Trojan War, chronicling his encounters with mythical beings such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe, while attempting to reunite with his wife, Penelope.
== Cast ==
== Production ==
=== Development and casting ===
After director Christopher Nolan won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director for his film Oppenheimer (2023) in March 2024, he began writing the script for his next film. Nolan was revealed in October to be developing his next film at Universal Pictures, after working with that studio on Oppenheimer. Nolan was confirmed to be writing the script and producing the film once again with his wife, Emma Thomas, through their production company, Syncopy. Matt Damon was in talks to star in the film, after collaborating with Nolan on Oppenheimer and Interstellar (2014), and filming was slated to begin in early 2025. Unlike Oppenheimer, which Universal acquired at auction, this film was set up directly at the studio and given a July 17, 2026, release date. The film's logline and additional details of its premise were kept largely secretive compared to Nolan's previous films, which prompted much speculation about its subject matter. This included rumors that it would either be a vampire period piece, a helicopter action-thriller, or an adaptation of the British spy television series The Prisoner (1967–68), which Nolan was previously attached to in 2009, but all of these were debunked. Damon was confirmed to star later that month when Tom Holland was cast. Previous Nolan collaborators Anne Hathaway—who starred in The Dark Knight Rises (2012) and Interstellar—and Robert Pattinson, who starred in Tenet (2020), joined the cast in November, alongside Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, and Charlize Theron. Damon, Holland, Hathaway, and Pattinson were all set for lead roles in the film, with Nyong'o and Zendaya having supporting roles.
In December 2024, Universal announced Nolan's new film as The Odyssey, an adaptation of Homer's Odyssey, an Ancient Greek epic poem. The studio described the film as a "mythic action epic" that would be filmed worldwide. Nolan was previously attached to direct the film Troy (2004), based on Homer's Odyssey predecessor the Iliad, but decided to make Batman Begins (2005) instead. The Odyssey was expected to have a $250 million budget, which would make it the most expensive film of Nolan's career. Nolan and Thomas described The Odyssey as "foundational" by incorporating aspects of different types of stories, and the director was inspired to elevate his filmography and experience with The Odyssey by various Greek mythology–inspired works he watched growing up, particularly the films of Ray Harryhausen. Further casting took place throughout early 2025, with prior Nolan collaborators Benny Safdie, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Bill Irwin, Josh Stewart, Anthony Molinari, and James Remar joining. Additional actors cast alongside them were Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Samantha Morton, Jesse Garcia, Will Yun Lee, Rafi Gavron, Shiloh Fernandez, Mia Goth, Corey Hawkins, Nick E. Tarabay, Jimmy Gonzales, Maurice Compte, Michael Vlamis, Iddo Goldberg, Ryan Hurst, and Jovan Adepo. Skeet Ulrich said he unsuccessfully read for a role in the film in early February alongside two other actors. Cosmo Jarvis had also been cast, but dropped out shortly before filming began due to a scheduling conflict and was subsequently replaced by Logan Marshall-Green.
Damon was confirmed to be portraying Odysseus when a "surprise" first-look image of him in costume was released in mid-February, ahead of the start of filming later that month. This came after some rumors had circulated that Holland could be playing the role; Holland was later confirmed to be portraying Odysseus's son, Telemachus. Various commentators and historians described the costume Damon wore as being historically inaccurate in terms of what armor Odysseus would have worn around the time that the Odyssey takes place and what is described in the Iliad. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick returned to work with Nolan from Oppenheimer.
=== Filming ===
Principal photography began on February 25, 2025, at the Aït Benhaddou village in the city of Ouarzazate, Morocco, to depict the city of Troy, as well as in the cities of Essaouira and Marrakesh. Hoyte van Hoytema reunited with Nolan as cinematographer. After using IMAX 70 mm film extensively since The Dark Knight (2008), The Odyssey is Nolan's first film to be shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, using a newly developed lighter and quieter version along with existing technology. Over 2 million feet (610 kilometres) of IMAX 70 mm film was used to shoot The Odyssey. Filming took place in the Messenia unit of the Peloponnese region in Greece, from March 10 to 21, at Pylos, the Methoni Castle, the Almyrolakkos beach in Yialova, and Nestor's Cave in the Voidokilia beach for scenes featuring the Cyclops Polyphemus, as well as at an archaeological palace site in Acrocorinth, Corinth. The production used the working title Charlie's Tale, and partnered with Faliro House Productions's NAF subsidiary for filming in Greece, which lasted for a total of three weeks and included a retroactive 40% cash rebate for the production.
By March 27, the production moved to the Aegadian Islands in Sicily, Italy, for filming on the island of Favignana, which is believed to be the location known as the "goat island" in the poem. Water-borne filming subsequently took place from April 15 to May 15 throughout the Aeolian Islands for scenes featuring the mythological island of Aeolia, occurring along the islands of Lipari, Basiluzzo, and Vulcano. Filming in these regions was subject to certain safeguarding restrictions from local ordinances. Filming occurred at a studio sound stage in Los Angeles by early May, before shooting at Findlater Castle in Moray, Scotland, in early June. For ten days between the middle and end of June, the production partnered with Truenorth and relocated to remote regions of Iceland, including the harbour Landeyjahöfn, the Hjörleifshöfði mountain, the river Markarfljót, and the Snæfellsnes peninsula, before returning to Scotland for scenes at Buckie Harbour and the secluded Sunnyside Beach near Cullen, Moray. Filming had taken place in the Culbin Forest from July 3 to 16, before returning to Findlater Castle through July 25, with Theron filming her scenes as Circe during the last two weeks in July.
Filming took place for four days between July 17 and 22, with Damon and Zendaya, at the White Dune near Dakhla, Western Sahara, a city under Moroccan occupation since 1975. The Polisario Front—the United Nations–recognized representative of the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara—decried the decision to film in Western Sahara as "whitewashing [Morocco's] colonialism" and a "violation of international law and ethical standards governing cultural and artistic work". Organizers of the Sahara International Film Festival criticized the decision to film in Western Sahara, stating that the production would "perhaps unknowingly and unwittingly" help whitewash Morocco's occupation of the territory and repression of the Sahrawis. The organizers called for the production to be halted, but filming in the territory had already concluded at that time. Meanwhile, the Moroccan Cinematographic Center called The Odyssey an important production to Morocco's promotion of its film industry and said that it was the first major American film to be filmed in that territory. The festival's organizers subsequently released a statement calling "on Nolan, Universal Pictures and others to publicly acknowledge it was wrong to film scenes in occupied Dakhla and to not edit them into The Odyssey, or else request consent from the legal representatives of the Sahrawi people, the rightful owners of the land where the film was shot." This statement was signed and supported by several prominent figures, including Spanish actors Carlos and Javier Bardem, Luis Tosar, Carolina Yuste, and Juan Diego Botto, Spanish filmmakers Rodrigo Sorogoyen and Icíar Bollaín, and Sahrawi human rights defender Elghalia Djimi.
Filming also took place in Malta, and was also expected to occur in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The production subsequently returned to Los Angeles, where filming wrapped on August 8, 2025, after a 91-day shoot.
=== Post-production ===
DNEG is providing the film's visual effects, with Andrew Jackson serving as the visual effects supervisor. Jennifer Lame is editing the film, while Ludwig Göransson is composing the musical score, after both worked with Nolan on Oppenheimer.
== Marketing ==
A 70-second-long teaser trailer for The Odyssey featuring Holland's Telemachus and Bernthal debuted exclusively in movie theaters ahead of screenings for Universal's Jurassic World Rebirth upon its release in July 2025, one year before the film's release. The teaser was expected to be released online later that year, but was leaked online soon after. Vanity Fair's Eléa Guilleminault-Bauer described the short teaser as previewing The Odyssey "through suggestion and cleverly elliptical editing", while Hannah Hunt at Collider highlighted the final scene of the teaser featuring Damon's Odysseus, unconscious and drifting in the ocean, and its thematic implications. Greg Evans at The Independent wrote that the leaked trailer sent some fans "into a frenzy" due to its high anticipation, which Ryan Britt of Men's Journal felt was warranted and described the teaser's "haunting nature" as promising "a myth actually brought to life". He highlighted Bernthal's "ominous" narration with a "touch of naturalism and realism", noting that Odysseus is talked about more than he is depicted in the teaser. /Film's Rick Stevenson wrote that the teaser continued Nolan's tradition of using an "often cryptic, vibes-first trailer, meant more to tease the mood of the film than to give away much in the way of plot or detail", but also found it to be "fairly substantive" compared to the similar teasers for some of Nolan's previous films. Less enthused reactions came from Erik Kain of Forbes and Esther Zuckerman at The New York Times, who both disliked the American accents used by British actors for Greek characters. Kain was concerned about the "muted" aesthetic and "drained" color grading, but compared it more favorably to director Ridley Scott's film Gladiator II (2024), while Zuckerman felt the teaser was "coy about revealing too much of Nolan's take on Homer's saga".
== Release ==
The Odyssey is scheduled to be theatrically released by Universal Pictures in the United States on July 17, 2026, in IMAX, IMAX 70 mm film formats, and premium large formats (PLFs). Tickets for select IMAX 70 mm screenings were made available on July 17, 2025, one year before the film's release, which was considered an unprecedented move by a major film distributor. Several of these showings sold out within the first 12 hours of their availability, including half of the 22 theaters available in the United States.
== See also ==
List of IMAX films
== References ==
== External links ==
The Odyssey at IMDb
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