Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey:’ Cast, Release Date & More

After months of speculation about Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to his critical and box office hit “Oppenheimer,” which won him the Oscar for best director, Universal Pictures revealed before the holidays on X that it will bring Homer’s “The Odyssey” to the big screen. the screen.

“The Odyssey” is a classic piece of literature by Homer that is divided between 24 different books, followed by “The Iliad.” It tells the 10-year journey of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as he travels home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters several dangers and discovers the death of his crew members. Telemachus (Odysseus’ son), Penelope (Odysseus’ wife), Athena, Circe, Poseidon and Zeus are all main characters.

Historians and researchers date the “Odyssey” to sometime between 750-650 BC. The first printed Greek version became available in 1488. In the centuries since, it has remained one of the most studied, adapted and parodied stories of all time, with adaptations including the 1911 silent film by Giuseppe de Liguoro, 1954’s “Ulysses” with Kirk Douglas and the 2000 The Coen brothers’ comedy “O Brother, Where Are Thou?”

With a new adaptation on the horizon, here’s everything we know so far about Nolan’s take on “The Odyssey.”

Who is in the film and have they worked with Nolan before?

Like the star cast assembled for “Oppenheimer,” “The Odyssey” is already loaded with major Hollywood talent — confirmed names include Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron.

Damon most recently appeared in “Oppenheimer” as Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves, following his under-the-radar performance in “Interstellar.” Pattinson appeared in “Tenet” as Neil alongside John David Washington and Elizabeth Debicki. Going back a little further, Hathaway had a supporting role as an astronaut in “Interstellar” and Catwoman in “The Dark Knight Rises,” marking just over 10 years since she last worked with Nolan.

For Holland, Zendaya, Nyong’o and Theron, “The Odyssey” marks their first time collaborating with Nolan. Holland and Zendaya, who are a married couple, are reuniting on screen after the Marvel “Spider-Man” movies.

How is the film shot?

According to the Universal Pictures social media post, “The Odyssey” will be “shot worldwide using brand new IMAX film technology.” Nolan’s craft has become synonymous with IMAX, as “Oppenheimer,” “Dunkirk,” “Tenet” and “Interstellar,” which was recently re-released in theaters for its 10th anniversary, were all shot with IMAX cameras.

Who else is creatively involved?

Nolan is also writing and producing the film, reuniting with longtime producer and life partner Emma Thomas, who won the Best Picture Oscar for “Oppenheimer” with Nolan.

How faithful will this adaptation be to ‘The Odyssey’?

It’s still unclear how closely Nolan intends to follow Homer’s famous story, though the social media post from Universal Pictures teases “a mythic action epic shot around the world.”

When will the film be released?

The film is set to open worldwide on July 17, 2026 in theaters after a production start date of 2025. Nolan previously released “Oppenheimer,” “Dunkirk,” “Inception” and “The Dark Knight” in the same month.