What is a director, even one of Hollywood’s best, supposed to do after delivering an epic Best Picture winner? For Christopher Nolan, the answer is making one of the most famous epics ever. After some wild speculation and some big name casting news, we finally know exactly what story he will after Oppenheimer. Universal Pictures announced Nolan’s next movie is an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey.
The Latest Casting News From Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
The latest casting news from The Hollywood Reporter reveals four new cast members for The Odyssey: Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Bill Irwin and Samantha Morton. Once again, we don’t know who they will play in this film.
Deadline also reveals that Oppenheimer‘s Benny Safdie will reteam with Christopher Nolan on The Odyssey. In Opphenheimer, Safdie played physicist Edward Teller. But there’s no telling yet who the actor will play in this upcoming adventure.
Christopher Nolan Is Heading to Real-Life Odysseus Stop, Goat Island
Christopher Nolan isn’t known to do anything by halves, and for his latest movie, The Odyssey, he’s taking his crew to the real-life location that Homer supposedly imagined Odysseus visited, Goat Island in Siciliy—also known as Favignana island. Reports indicate the movie will also film in Sicily’s Eolian islands, U.K. and Morocco.
But what could measure up to a real-world location that Odysseus wandered through in his epic tale, cooking goats and gathering supplies? Nothing, if you ask us.
More About Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan is moving on after Oppenheimer by going back. Way back. Described as a “mythic action epic,” his version of the ancient epic poem The Odyssey will rely on cutting edge technology to bring the story to life. Universal Pictures said the longtime IMAX enthusiast will be using “brand new” tech to shoot for the large-scale format.
But how he will shoot the film isn’t nearly as interesting as to what the film is actually about. It’s hard to imagine anyone would have guessed Nolan would adapt The Odyssey even if they had 20 years to figure it out. (If you don’t get that reference, this movie will be very educational for you!) Even then, there’s still so much we don’t know about the project. Will this be a traditional, faithful adaptation? Will it be a modern take on the story? And will Armand Assante and George Clooney appear for a Spider-Man: No Way Home style crossover?
While we don’t know any setting or style specifics, we can guess who is playing Odysseus. Matt Damon is set to lead the star-studded film. Nolan’s The Odyssey will also feature Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Jon Bernthal, and Charlize Theron. We also know the movie will arrive in theaters on July 17 2026.
That gives us plenty of time to start guessing which legendary characters from Homer’s epic everyone is going to play. (Theron as Circe, Calypso, Penelope, or Athena? She’s perfect for literally all of them.) It also gives us time to wonder just how good this movie will be. No one delivers epics live Christopher Nolan. What’s he going to be capable of when he makes one of the most famous epics ever?
Originally published January 2, 2025.