‘The Odyssey’ confirmed as director’s new film for Universal

On By Littum

Tom Holland, note: Christopher Nolan’s new film for Universal is The Odysseyan adaptation of the epic poem composed by Homer around the 8th century BCE, the study has revealed.

“Christopher Nolan’s next film The Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot around the world using brand new IMAX film technology,” the studio announced Monday in a message sent to X. “The film brings Homer’s seminal saga to IMAX movie screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.”

The ancient Greek poem by Homer tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, exploring themes of heroism, loyalty, cunning, and the struggle against divine will. The narrative includes iconic episodes such as his encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens and the witch goddess Circe, culminating in his reunion with his wife, Penelope.

Although this would be the most notable adaptation of the text to date, the poem has previously been adapted into the 1954 Italian film Ulyssesdirected by Mario Camerini and starring Kirk Douglas, as well as the 1997 miniseries The Odysseydirected by Andrei Konchalovsky and starring Armand Assante. Currently, Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche can be seen playing Odysseus and Penelope in Uberto Pasolini The returnwhich Bleecker Street released earlier this month following the film’s TIFF unveiling. James also took inspiration from the poem Joyce’s UlyssesMargaret Atwood The Penelopiad, The look of Ulysses directed by Theo Angelopoulos, Cold Mountain (both novel and film), The Coen Brothers’ O Brother, where art thou?? and Star Trek: Odyssey.

As previously announced, Nolan’s latest star will be Matt Damon, Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o and Charlize Theron. The story the filmmaker has decided is a far cry from the rumored subject matter he would explore going forward, involving everything from vampires to helicopter pilots.

The Odyssey is expected to begin filming early next year. Marks Nolan’s second film for Universal, hot on the heels of his Best Picture win Oppenheimerits 2026 date falls in line with the window often reserved by the filmmaker, as was the case with his historical drama starring Cillian Murphy.

Watch Universal’s epic Nolan announcement below.