‘The Odyssey’ – Confirmation, Cast, Plot, & Everything We Know

When posed with following up his Academy Award-winning historical drama Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan chose to take on one of the most well-known epics of all time. The Odyssey is a grand tale, as even those who may not have read it know about the Trojan horse, the Cyclops, and the original author, Homer. With Nolan’s penchant for pushing practical effects in filmmaking, like crashing a plane in Tenet and his rotating hallway in Inception, The Odyssey presents another opportunity for the director to dial things up a notch.

Nolan is notoriously secretive about his projects, offering unique teasers, such as the prologue shown at select IMAX screenings. Still, there are plenty of thrilling details surrounding The Odyssey that have been shared, including the star-studded cast that continues to surprise with controversial reveals. With trailers offering glimpses of Nolan’s impressive vision, there’s no shortage of hype building for the epic film that continues to inspire excitement and questions in equal measure. Thankfully, plenty of those questions regarding the film’s release date, cast, and plot details have answers.

‘The Odyssey’ Is Confirmed for a Summer Release

Nolan wrote and directed The Odyssey, an action-adventure that is keeping the lauded filmmaker’s tradition of summer tentpole releases alive. The adaptation is slated to hit theaters on July 17, 2026, and is already one of the year’s most anticipated movies. The Odyssey was given that release in late 2024, with the trailer confirming the date. With Nolan’s next entry likely to be a box-office behemoth, the planned release date is unlikely to change unless major unforeseen circumstances arise.

Production on the movie began in February 2025, with filming taking place in Morocco, Italy, Greece, Iceland, and other locations around Europe and Africa. The Odyssey doubles down on Nolan’s use of IMAX, as his latest is being touted as the first blockbuster shot entirely in the format. Matt Damon stated during a podcast that the director “wanted to do 100 percent IMAX and he did it!” Throughout production, small details trickled out, such as Damon’s armor and the immense scale of the practical elements Nolan built, with the Cyclops and the Trojan Horse already impressing.

The first teaser hit theaters in July, playing before Jurassic World Rebirth, a full year before release, giving fans their first glimpse of what had been filmed. Principal photography wrapped in August 2025, when the movie entered post-production. Rumors suggest the movie is over three hours long, which isn’t unheard of for Nolan, but no official runtime has been announced. The prologue was previewed at select IMAX screenings in December, featuring the filmmaker’s signature bombastic score and unprecedented visuals. The first full trailer for The Odyssey was finally released shortly afterward, teasing Nolan’s epic, which is poised to be his most audacious endeavor yet. It was also the first time many announced cast members were seen in their roles.

The Cast of ‘The Odyssey’ Is Epic, and Even Controversial

The cast of The Odyssey has been one of the most publicized aspects of the film, as Nolan assembled another impressive ensemble. The director is reteaming with a few past stars, like Damon and Benny Safdie, who were in Oppenheimer, and Anne Hathaway, who was in Interstellar and The Dark Knight Rises. The Odyssey also features Nolan’s first time reteaming with Elliot Page since Inception. Some of the roles are known, like Damon leading the film as Odysseus and Zendaya playing Athena, but several high-profile stars still have their roles under wraps, like Lupita Nyong’o and Ryan Hurst.

The Odyssey has drawn controversy over some of its casting, with Nyong’o recently making headlines after rumors surfaced that she might play Helen of Troy. Earlier word stated that she may be playing Clytemnestra, Agamemnon’s wife. However, neither role has been officially confirmed, but that hasn’t stopped people like Elon Musk from stating, “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.” Chrissie Mayr on X also slammed the rumor, stating:

“Christopher Nolan already ruined The Odyssey… Casting Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy is absolutely disgusting and goes directly against what was written thousands of years ago.”

Many fans also supported the rumor, backing Nyong’o for the role, though there is no official word on when the role will be announced. Other recently confirmed stars have also generated backlash, as a short trailer that debuted during the NFL’s AFC Championship game offered the first glimpse of music icon Travis Scott in the film. While Scott’s role is unknown, his presence was a shock to many, as he’s a controversial figure due to his high-energy shows and the Astroworld Festival tragedy. Some fans noted their disdain on social media, like Fatherhood on X, who wrote his opinion:

“Travis, stick to bouncing like a frog on stage and spamming auto tune. Why is Chris putting him in this movie?”

Like Nyong’o, Scott has supporters, with his performance making for a memorable trailer. The Odyssey still has several key characters to confirm. Laertes and Anticleia, Odysseus’ parents, are still unknown, though Bill Irwin and Samantha Morton have been speculated. There are also deities like Zeus and Hermes that haven’t been officially cast, but James Remar and Corey Hawkins may fit the parts when the full cast is finally revealed.

The Plot of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

Universal Studios

Nolan penned the script for The Odyssey, an adaptation of Homer’s epic poem for the big screen. The latest version is said to be based on Emily Wilson’s translation of the story, with some critics questioning her translation choices, like altering certain words. Still, her changes aren’t detrimental to the story. Rather, Wilson leans into modern sensibilities to align more closely with what many believe the original text intended. While Nolan’s film is inspired by Wilson’s text, the source material still stems from Homer’s tale, which many know well.

Aspects of the plot remain under wraps, but the original fantasy epic told of King Odysseus’ 10-year journey home following the Trojan War. The movie may lean more toward fantasy than history, but trailers have already shown several elements that seem to align with the work that inspired it, including the siege of Troy, the Cyclops, and his wife and son defending the throne in his absence. The brief synopsis currently available for Nolan’s The Odyssey reads:

After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Circe along the way.

Given the length of time the story covers and Nolan’s penchant for lengthy movies, The Odyssey is likely to live up to its epic status. The director enjoys telling a disjointed story, with movies like Tenet, Memento, and Dunkirk all embracing unique narrative styles. While Nolan could stick to the story’s known format, he may also play with the timeline and tell events out of sequence. Further details are likely to be forthcoming, but Nolan may also keep everything else hidden until the movie’s release, as he loves to never give away too much. However, all will finally be revealed when The Odyssey hits theaters this summer.