Mythology
‘The Odyssey’ Trailer Teases Christopher Nolan’s Most Ambitious Epic Yet
Universal Pictures has unveiled the first official teaser for The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited adaptation of Homer’s legendary Greek saga. Starring Matt Damon as the cunning hero Odysseus, the film promises a sweeping, globe-spanning epic that blends myth, war, and survival through Nolan’s signature cinematic lens.
Set after the fall of Troy, Matt Damon’s The Odyssey follows Odysseus’ perilous journey home to Ithaca—a voyage plagued by shipwrecks, monsters, and divine obstacles. The newly released trailer offers haunting glimpses of this long road home, positioning the film as one of the most ambitious undertakings of Christopher Nolan’s career.
Matt Damon Leads a Stacked Ensemble Cast
Matt Damon appears nearly unrecognizable in The Odyssey trailer, sporting a rugged, battle-worn look as Odysseus navigates land, sea, and shadowy caves. Brief but striking shots tease encounters with ominous creatures lurking in darkness, reinforcing the mythic scale of the story.
The cast surrounding Matt Damon is equally formidable. Anne Hathaway stars as Penelope, Odysseus’ long-suffering wife, while Tom Holland appears as their son Telemachus. The ensemble also includes Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, and John Leguizamo, signaling a character-driven epic packed with powerhouse performances.
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Trojan Horses, Shipwrecks, and Mythic Terror
The trailer revisits iconic moments from Homer’s text, including scenes set inside the infamous Trojan horse—previously teased in a six-minute IMAX-exclusive preview screened in select theaters. Viewers also see Odysseus shipwrecked with his men, trekking across desolate terrain, and braving violent seas as his gravelly voiceover reflects on the cost of war and the burden of leadership.
While the teaser avoids revealing too much, it leans heavily into atmosphere: storms rage, shadows loom, and danger feels ever-present, hinting at monsters like the Cyclops without fully revealing them.
Shot Across the World in Revolutionary IMAX
Universal has confirmed that The Odyssey was filmed across multiple global locations using brand-new IMAX film technology. Nolan reportedly used nearly two million feet of IMAX film, continuing his reputation for pushing large-format filmmaking to its limits.
At CinemaCon, Universal executive Jim Orr described the project as “a visionary, once-in-a-generation cinematic masterpiece that Homer himself would quite likely be proud of.” Actor John Leguizamo echoed that sentiment, comparing Nolan’s process to that of an indie filmmaker—albeit “with crazy money.”
Nolan’s Post-Oppenheimer Statement Film
Following the seven-Oscar sweep of Oppenheimer in 2024, The Odyssey marks Nolan’s first feature since his career-defining biopic. The filmmaker has previously said that any project he takes on must feel deeply personal—filtered entirely through his own creative voice.
Judging by the trailer, The Odyssey is exactly that: a timeless myth reimagined as an immersive cinematic experience on the grandest possible scale.
The Odyssey sails into theaters worldwide on July 17.
