Christopher Nolan Shares His Passion for ‘The Odyssey’ with New Trojan Horse Footage at CinemaCon
Universal Pictures has provided a fresh glimpse of The Odyssey, an upcoming Imax event film directed by Christopher Nolan. The film, inspired by Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, features Nolan in attendance to promote the project.
A trailer for the film was previously released, but new footage showcased in Las Vegas this afternoon highlights Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca. In a pivotal scene, Odysseus converses with Calypso, portrayed by Charlize Theron, who has detained him on her island for seven years after he washed ashore post-Trojan War.
“How long have I been here, Calypso?” Odysseus inquires. “I don’t remember anything before Troy. Did I have a wife, children, maybe a son? If I had a son, how old would he be now?”
The narrative then shifts to his son, Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, who learns about the Greek raid on a Trojan foothold through a recounting by Menelaus, played by Jon Bernthal.
As depicted, after the Trojans pull the Trojan horse onto the beach, they maneuver it into their fortress. That night, Odysseus, Menelaus, and their fellow Greek soldiers emerge from the horse to launch a surprise attack, ultimately leading to their victory in the decade-long Trojan War.
Nolan received a standing ovation upon taking the stage in Las Vegas, sharing his motivations for telling this enduring tale. “It’s one that has fascinated generation after generation for 3,000 years. It’s not a story; it’s the story,” he stated.
He expressed enthusiasm for the chance to present the story to a modern cinematic audience, highlighting the film’s focus on “family” and “homecoming,” complemented by performances from Holland, Damon, and Anne Hathaway, who plays Penelope.
In keeping with his commitment to large-scale cinematic experiences, Nolan emphasized the importance of immersive storytelling. “The long-held dream,” he noted, was to create an entire project in Imax, capturing dialogue scenes with the same intensity as action sequences.
Nolan acknowledged the challenges of production, referring to The Odyssey as “an absolute nightmare to film,” though he remarked it was “in all the right ways.” He confirmed that the film is “almost finished.”
First announced in December 2024, Nolan’s adaptation chronicles Odysseus’s perilous journey home following the Trojan War, with glimpses of his longing to reunite with his family. The ensemble cast also features Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Benny Safdie, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Vlamis, and Iddo Goldberg.
This film follows Nolan’s successful collaboration with Universal on Oppenheimer, which was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won seven, including Best Picture and Best Director. Nolan not only directed but also produced the film alongside his long-time collaborator and wife, Emma Thomas.
The Odyssey is set to premiere in Imax on July 17.
