Matt Damon to Star in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'

Universal Pictures is set to release a major cinematic adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey in July 2026. The project marks Christopher Nolan's directorial follow-up to the critically acclaimed Oppenheimer. The film features a high-profile ensemble cast led by Matt Damon in the role of the hero Odysseus.

Production for the film commenced in the spring of 2025, utilizing locations in Sicily, Morocco, and the United Kingdom. This adaptation represents a significant technical achievement, as it is the first movie to film entirely using IMAX cameras for dialogue scenes. The production team developed new camera technology to accommodate the notoriously loud IMAX equipment. Early marketing for the film has already set records, with the debut trailer achieving massive viewership numbers within the first day of its release.

The film boasts an extensive ensemble cast featuring several A-list actors. Matt Damon takes the lead role of Odysseus, while Tom Holland portrays his son, Telemachus. Anne Hathaway has been cast as Penelope, Odysseus's wife. The cast also includes Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Circe, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous.

Additional confirmed cast members include:

• Mia Goth as Melantho
• Benny Safdie as Agamemnon
• Jon Bernthal as Menelaus
• John Leguizamo as Eumaeus
• Himesh Patel as Eurylochus
• Jimmy Gonzales as Cepheus

A host of other actors have been cast in roles that have not yet been publicly revealed, including Lupita Nyong'o, Bill Irwin, Elliot Page, and Samantha Morton. Several members of the cast, including Damon, Hathaway, Pattinson, and Patel, have previously collaborated with Nolan on other projects.

Shooting took place in the spring and summer of 2025. Universal Pictures confirmed that production wrapped in early August 2025. Filming occurred across three countries, with a significant portion of the mythical action shot in Sicily. Specifically, the crew filmed on the island of Favignana, which is historically known as Aegusa or 'goat island.' This location is believed to be the inspiration for the island Odysseus visits before his encounter with the Cyclops. Scenes were also filmed in Morocco and the UK.

The Odyssey is breaking new ground in film technology. It is the first movie to be filmed entirely on IMAX cameras, a feat previously considered impossible due to the noise levels of the equipment. Christopher Nolan, known for his preference for IMAX, challenged the company to develop a quieter camera system to allow for dialogue scenes to be shot in the format.

Actor Matt Damon discussed the technical challenges in an interview. He noted that standard IMAX cameras are incredibly loud, comparing the sound to a 'blender' or 'Cuisinart.' He explained, "We couldn't have this conversation with a normal IMAX camera because you wouldn't be able to hear us."

To solve this issue, the production team built a 'giant thing' around the camera, utilizing a system of mirrors to allow the actors to maintain eye contact while speaking. Damon praised the effort, stating, "The amount of work that went into figuring out how to do [that], because he wanted to do 100 percent IMAX, and he did it!"

The film is positioned to be a major box office contender. Universal Pictures announced the movie in late 2024, scheduling it for a theatrical release on July 17, 2026. Marketing efforts began in late December 2025, and the first trailer achieved 121.4 million views in its first 24 hours online. This viewing figure is double the first-day views generated by the trailer for Oppenheimer.

Industry observers note that The Odyssey could potentially surpass the commercial performance of previous adaptations of Homer's work. The most commercially successful adaptation to date is the 2004 film Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Brad Pitt. Troy, based on Homer's Iliad, grossed $497 million worldwide. However, Troy received mixed reviews and holds a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Other adaptations of Homer's epics include the Coen Brothers' O Brother, Where Art Thou? and the 1997 miniseries The Odyssey. A recent adaptation, The Return (2024), starred Ralph Fiennes and received positive critical reception but grossed less than $1 million worldwide.