Everything You Need to Know About the Premiere of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and Watch the First Trailer

Matt Damon in ‘The Odyssey’.
Credit :

Universal Pictures

NEED TO KNOW

Christopher Nolan’s retelling of the Homeric epic The Odyssey follows Odysseus’ ten-year journey home after the Trojan War.
The film features Matt Damon as Odysseus and Tom Holland as his son, Telemachus, alongside Anne Hathaway and Zendaya.
The Odyssey is set to premiere in theaters on July 17, 2026.

With less than a year remaining until its eagerly awaited release, the first official trailer for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been unveiled.

Debuting in December 2025, the latest footage from this adaptation of Homer’s Greek poem follows a shorter teaser that was released in July. The trailer offers glimpses of Damon and Holland in character as Odysseus and Telemachus, respectively, and features scenes of the Trojan Horse.

On July 2, the film’s official social media account revealed the poster showcasing a Greek statue amidst ashes, emblazoned with the words, “Defy the gods.”

The project was first announced in December 2024, with Universal Pictures announcing that “Christopher Nolan’s next film The Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology.”

Nolan’s adaptation includes a star-studded cast featuring Damon, Holland, Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, John Leguizamo, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron.

What will The Odyssey be about?

‘The Odyssey’ movie poster.

Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures has confirmed that Nolan’s film will adapt Homer’s ancient Greek poem, The Odyssey.

The narrative spans 24 non-linear books, chronicling the perilous journey of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, as he returns home after the Trojan War. Meanwhile, his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, face challenges at home from suitors vying for Penelope’s hand, believing Odysseus to be dead.

Telemachus embarks on a quest to find news of his father and encounters Nestor and Menelaus, two veterans of the Trojan War, who inform him of Odysseus’ survival.

Odysseus encounters legendary figures in Greek mythology, including the nymph Calypso and the sorceress Circe, while he strives to reunite with his family. After enduring captivity and various shipwrecks, he returns to Ithaca, where he must reclaim his home from the suitors.

Who is in the cast of The Odyssey?

Tom Holland; Anne Hathaway; Matt Damon.

Michael TRAN / AFP; John Nacion/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Nolan’s adaptation features a notable ensemble cast. In February 2025, Universal Pictures announced that Matt Damon will portray Odysseus, continuing his collaboration with Nolan following the success of Oppenheimer.

Hathaway also joins the film, reuniting with Nolan after their collaborations in The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar.

The Odyssey marks an on-screen reunion for real-life couple Zendaya and Holland, who previously starred together in the Spider-Man series.

In an interview with Good Morning America, Holland expressed his excitement about joining the project, calling it “the phone call of a lifetime” and reminiscing about his casting in Spider-Man ten years prior.

Holland added that sharing the set with Zendaya was the “best thing that’s ever happened” to him, joking about their living arrangements during filming.

The couple will be joined by other prominent actors, including Pattinson, Nyong’o, and Theron.

Who is directing The Odyssey?

Christopher Nolan, winner of the Best Directing award and the Best Picture award for ‘Oppenheimer,’ poses in the press room during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

The Odyssey is set to be directed by Christopher Nolan, who recently received accolades for directing and producing Oppenheimer, winning Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Achievement in Directing in 2024.

Nolan is celebrated for his extensive body of work, including acclaimed films such as Inception, Interstellar, and Tenet.

Is there a trailer for The Odyssey?

The first official trailer for The Odyssey debuted in December 2025, offering a glimpse into Odysseus’ journey along with early footage of the main cast.

A teaser previously premiered in theaters in July, preceding a showing of Jurassic World Rebirth and subsequently leaked online.

The trailer opens with scenes of the sea accompanied by a voiceover reflecting on Odysseus’ triumph in the Trojan War.

“Darkness. Zeus’ laws smashed to pieces. A kingdom without a king since my master died,” a character, voiced by John Leguizamo, states.

Another voice, presumably belonging to Robert Pattinson’s character, adds, “He knew it was an unwinnable war, and then somehow … somehow, he won it.”

Viewers then see Telemachus, played by Holland, stating he must “find out what happened to my father.” The teaser jumps one year ahead, revealing that Odysseus, portrayed by Damon, is stranded at sea.

The December trailer highlights the key moment where Odysseus and his forces infiltrate Troy by hiding inside the Trojan Horse.