Key Facts
- ✓ Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, marking his 13th film as a director.
- ✓ Matt Damon lost significant weight for the role of Odysseus, dropping to 167 pounds, his lightest weight since high school.
- ✓ The film is shot using brand new IMAX film technology and is described as a 'mythic action epic' based on Homer's saga.
- ✓ A limited number of tickets for the film went on sale in the summer of 2025, a full year before its theatrical debut.
- ✓ Travis Scott previously collaborated with Christopher Nolan on the soundtrack for the 2020 film Tenet.
A Mythic Epic Unveiled
A new TV spot for Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film The Odyssey aired during the New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos AFC Championship game, offering a fresh glimpse into the mythic world. The short trailer revealed Travis Scott's speaking role and a new look at Tom Holland as Telemachus, the son of Odysseus.
The film, written and directed by Nolan, is described as a 'mythic action epic' shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. It is based on Homer's classic saga and is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026.
The New Trailer's Highlights
The newly released promo, which quickly emerged on YouTube and social media platforms after its broadcast, opens with Telemachus asking questions about his absent father amid a gathering of soldiers. The scene then shifts to Menelaus, the Greek king of Sparta, played by Jon Bernthal, who calls for a story of Odysseus' adventures.
It is here that Travis Scott takes center stage, recounting the tale of Odysseus infiltrating the city of Troy using the legendary Trojan Horse. Scott's character stands on a table to deliver the story in dramatic fashion:
"A man. A trick. A trick to break the walls of Troy. It's burning, screaming to the ground."
The trailer also showcases a glimpse of the Troy sequence previously teased in the debut trailer, where Trojan soldiers drag the Trojan Horse from the sea. Inside, Matt Damon and his soldiers hide silently, with one soldier forced to remain quiet after being cut by a sword that pierces the horse.
""A man. A trick. A trick to break the walls of Troy. It's burning, screaming to the ground.""
— Travis Scott, The Odyssey Trailer
The Cast and Characters
The film features an ensemble cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca. The debut trailer featured Damon's character declaring that after years of war, nothing can stand between his men and home. Tom Holland stars as Telemachus, Odysseus's son, who is determined to find his father.
Anne Hathaway portrays Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, shown in the trailer as a concerned observer. The cast also includes:
- Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, the Greek king of Sparta
- Travis Scott in a speaking role as a storyteller
- Matt Damon leading the journey home to Ithaca
Other scenes teased in the debut trailer include the Cyclops entering a cave filled with soldiers and the undead rising from the ground itself.
Damon's Physical Transformation
Last week, Matt Damon discussed the difficulty of filming The Odyssey, stating it had a 'profound' effect on him. In an interview, he admitted, "I was still unpacking the experience of filming The Odyssey, but I did have a profound effect on me. If I look objectively at what was required to do that job, I think it came at just the right time in my life."
To prepare for the role, Damon slimmed down to his high school weight. He revealed he trained intensely and adopted a strict diet, stopping gluten consumption entirely. He noted his weight dropped from a usual range of 185-200 pounds to 167 pounds for the film.
"I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. [Nolan] wanted me lean but strong."
Damon compared the rigorous training routine to preparing for a season of professional sports, noting the discipline required to build his day around the physical demands of the role.
Nolan's Ambitious Project
The Odyssey marks Christopher Nolan's 13th film as a director, following recent successes like Oppenheimer. The anticipation for the movie is high, following the breakout success of Oppenheimer, which earned $975 million during its theatrical run and won Best Picture at the Oscars.
Such is the demand for Nolan's latest work that a limited number of tickets went on sale last summer—a full year in advance of the film's 2026 opening. The film continues Nolan's collaboration with Travis Scott, who previously recorded the track 'The Plan' for the soundtrack of Nolan's 2020 film Tenet.
What to Expect
The latest trailer confirms Travis Scott's involvement in a narrative capacity, adding a unique voice to the ancient tale. The visual scope of the film, shot with new IMAX technology, promises to bring Homer's epic to life on an unprecedented scale.
With a release date set for July 17, 2026, the marketing campaign is well underway, offering fans a steady stream of new footage and cast insights. The combination of Nolan's direction, Damon's physical transformation, and a star-studded cast sets the stage for a major cinematic event.
""I think I would've been miserable 20 years ago trying to do that job. Because you were uncomfortable every day, but I really enjoyed… like, deeply enjoyed every minute of it.""
— Matt Damon, Actor
""I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. [Nolan] wanted me lean but strong.""
— Matt Damon, Actor
