Christopher Nolan’s next blockbuster film, following the 3-hour historical epic Oppenheimer (2023), has been revealed – an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey. Here’s everything we know ahead of its 2026 release. 

The film was announced back in December 2024, with Nolan revealing he would once again be working with Universal Pictures for his next project back in October. Filming began in mid-February and is set to take place across the world, including in Morocco, Italy, Greece, and the United Kingdom.  

The Odyssey follows the 10-year journey of Odysseus back home from the Trojan War, featuring encounters with mythical creatures and divine intervention, before he is reunited with his family in Ithaca. The film is set to be the most expensive of Nolan’s career, with an estimated production budget of $250 million. 

Nolan is producing the film with his wife Emma Thomas through their production company Syncopy. The film is also being shot using brand new IMAX technology, reflecting Nolan’s preference for large-format film. The Odyssey will use IMAX film cameras that are approximately 30% quieter and lighter due to their carbon fibre construction. This new technology will allow Nolan and his crew to capture more shots not possible on older, heavier models, and will also improve the film’s audio quality. Such innovations were also persistent in Oppenheimer, where the team used a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large-format film photography, including the first ever use of IMAX black and white analog photography. The effect in Oppenheimer was a powerful, epic visual experience that I’m positive will be continued in The Odyssey. Rumours of a giant 6x6m mechanical anthropomorphic puppet being used inside Nestor’s Cave in Greece also reflect the exciting (but also slightly terrifying) ways new technology is being used in the film, which could bring Nolan’s adaptation to life. 

Matt Damon is set to play the lead role of Odysseus, with a star-studded cast accompanying him, including the likes of Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o and Robert Pattinson. 

In February, Universal Pictures gave us a first look at the film, releasing an official photo of Damon in costume for his role.

The photo has received criticism over accusations of being historically inaccurate, with Damon pictured in armour from a much later period than when Homer’s epic tale would’ve taken place. However, this is not unusual for a blockbuster film and doesn’t speak to its quality, particularly this early on.  

I’d imagine the costume would’ve been designed this way for a specific reason, perhaps the dull colours and lighting are intentional in the way it’s being presented on film. It’s also worth noting that historically accurate panoply-style armour not only wouldn’t have been very practical for Odysseus’ quest, but could look quite strange in the movie, and wouldn’t have been what audiences are expecting their ancient Greek Hero to look like. 

Nolan is known for his love of film and storytelling above all else, so I believe these decisions were made to better the quality of the film. As a result, I sincerely doubt these criticisms are cause for concern.

In early March, Nolan and Holland were spotted filming in Methoni, Greece, alongside extras dressed in similar armour. The photos seem to suggest that Holland may be playing the role of Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, who leaves Ithaca in search of his father under the guidance of the goddess Athena. If true, Holland’s prior experience in stunt work and fight scenes may be beneficial to this role, as Telemachus embarks on a quest and eventual battle against his mother’s suitors alongside Odysseus. 

As the photos were released, a cast list was also leaked to Greek media outlets, naming the roles of the announced cast in the film. According to this list, Holland is set to play Telemachus, Anne Hathaway is Penelope (Odysseus’ wife), and Zendaya is the goddess Athena. Benny Safdie is also listed as Agamemnon, with Lupita Nyong’o as his wife, Clytemnestra. Take this with a grain of salt, as it’s yet to be formally announced.  

The Odyssey makes sense as Nolan’s next project, reflecting his love of storytelling as he tackles an adaptation of a classic tale. This project also supports the popular fan theory that his career has been planned in three acts – the first act, where he focuses on smaller character-driven stories, the second act, in which he explores complex ideas and themes (such as in Inception and Interstellar) and the third act, where he tackles historical stories and real-life events, such as Oppenheimer, and now The Odyssey. 

Many have also speculated that Oppenheimer in itself was an allegory for Nolan’s own career, telling the story of a man aspiring to create something great, only to result in a tainted legacy because of the horrific events it created. This can be applied to Nolan through his creation of The Dark Knight Trilogy, which sparked a surge of superhero movies that ultimately resulted in a decline in cinema quality. Could this mean that The Odyssey could also act as a similar allegory? Maybe Nolan himself identifies with the trials and tribulations of Odysseus’ journey, or perhaps he is reclaiming the superhero film by telling one of the very first superhero stories. 

Regardless, the film promises to be a cinematic spectacle, combining a classic epic storyline with stunning visuals that are bound to captivate audiences worldwide under Nolan’s direction. As a history fan, I’m very excited to see where Nolan takes this adaptation and how he chooses to tell Homer’s epic tale. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before we see a little more about this film from Universal Pictures! 

The Odyssey is set to be released in Australian theatres on July 16, 2026.