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Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: cast, release date, trailer & everything we know

Wondering what the next movie from the man behind Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight is all about? We’re here to tell you everything about Christopher Nolan’s 2026 epic

Guides by Graeme McMillan, Editor

Published on Fri Feb 20 2026

Christopher Nolan is one of the leading filmmakers in the world, with hits like The Dark Knight, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer under his belt. July 17, 2026 sees the release of his biggest movie to date, Universal Pictures’ The Odyssey — and here’s what you need to know about it before setting out on your own journey to the theater.

The Odyssey — The Basics

Director: Christopher Nolan
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Studio: Universal Pictures
Cast: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya
Based on: The Odyssey, by Homer

What is Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey about?

After a run of movies where Nolan played in different genres, the director is tackling one of the foundational pieces of literature — Homer’s Ancient Greek poem about the journey of the king of Greek island Ithaca, Odysseus, as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War to reunite with his wife. It’s not an easy path, as he finds himself encountering monsters, goddesses, and other threats and wonders on the way.

Is The Odyssey a big deal?

There’s no other way to answer this — yes, The Odyssey is a very big deal indeed. Homer’s original poem is one of the oldest surviving works for literature, written somewhere around the 8th century BCE. It’s inspired countless subsequent works from Dante’s Inferno to James Joyce’s Ulysses, and has been adapted for the screen countless times in countless different forms, from direct translations like 1954’s Ulysses (starring Kirk Douglas) to indirect homages like the Coen Brothers’ 2000 hit O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Describing his take on the material, Nolan has said, “There’s a bit of everything in it… I mean, it truly contains all stories.”

Who is starring in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey?

The cast list for The Odyssey is packed, even when compared with the star-studded norm for a Christopher Nolan movie. The film’s cast includes:

Matt Damon
Tom Holland
Anne Hathaway
Robert Pattinson
Zendaya
Charlize Theron
Jon Bernthal
Mia Goth
Lupita Nyong’o
Elliot Page
Samantha Morton
Benny Safdie

And many, many, many more, including the possibility of some big name surprises.

Who is Tom Holland going to play in The Odyssey?

Tom Holland will play Telemachus in The Odyssey — he’s the son of the main character of the epic, Odysseus, who’ll be played by Matt Damon.

Is Robert Downey Jr. in The Odyssey?

Robert Downey Jr. is not in The Odyssey, and we have Marvel Studios to thank for that. Christopher Nolan was reportedly eager to re-team with his Oppenheimer actor for the role of Poseidon, but scheduling could not be worked out with RDJ already busy playing Doctor Doom for Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

Who will play Helen in The Odyssey?

Officially, neither Universal Pictures nor Christopher Nolan have said who’ll play the beautiful Helen in The Odyssey, but it’s rumored that Lupita Nyong’o — who was announced to star in the movie in 2024 — will take on the role.

Who is Charlize Theron playing in The Odyssey?

The Academy Award-winning actress plays Circe in The Odyssey, a powerful sorceress known for turning men into swine.

Where was The Odyssey filmed?

Appropriately for such an epic, The Odyssey’s shoot took cast and crew around the world, with locations including Greece, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, and Morocco. Matt Damon told Empire Magazine, “Every location on this movie would have been the toughest location on any film I’ve ever done. And every day of shooting would have been the toughest day of shooting on any other movie I’ve ever done.”

Is The Odyssey going to be released in IMAX?

Not only is The Odyssey going to be released in IMAX, it’s the first of Nolan’s movies to be shot entirely on IMAX 70mm film cameras, promising a visual feast for cinema fans. In fact, it’s the first movie ever to be shot entirely with IMAX cameras.

Is there a trailer for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey?

Yes, the first trailer for The Odyssey was released in December 2025. The two-minute spot sets the tone for what’s to come, focusing on the spectacular visuals (and costuming choices!), while establishing the emotional cost Odysseus’s journey takes from him. Watch for yourself:

When is The Odyssey released?

The Odyssey is released in theaters July 17, 2026.

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Graeme McMillan: Popverse Editor Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for close to two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.