‘The Odyssey’: Matt Damon to lead Christopher Nolan’s upcoming star-studded epic
Christopher Nolan’s next film under Universal Pictures, The Odyssey, has been keeping the internet busy with a slew of new updates. Now with Matt Damon’s first look officially unveiled, here’s a round-up of all we know about the upcoming Christopher Nolan movie.
The Odyssey marks the auteur’s 13th film as director and he is writing the script as well. After the success of the 2023 box-office tour de force Oppenheimer, this next Nolan film has a burgeoning A-list cast and is expected to be yet another record-breaking hit!
Here are all the details we know about Christopher Nolan’s upcoming movie with Universal
Matt Damon plays the lead in The Odyssey
On 17 January 2025, Universal Pictures announced that Matt Damon will play the titular character of Odysseus in Nolan’s new epic, The Odyssey. This marks his third outing with the prolific filmmaker after Interstellar and Oppenheimer. He was also one of the first actors to be confirmed for this project.
Sharing details of Damon’s character, the production house stated: “Matt Damon is Odysseus. A film by Christopher Nolan, #TheOdysseyMovie is in theaters July 17, 2026.”
The star-studded cast of the upcoming Christopher Nolan movie
The ace director’s film is dropping cast updates quite frequently and it is a galore A-list stars.
Matt Damon was among the first people announced to be joining Nolan’s follow-up to his Oscar-winning drama. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the Interstellar star had been in talks since late September and early October 2024 about the director’s upcoming return to the theatres. This marks Damon’s third outing with Nolan after the 2014 sci-fi hit and Oppenheimer.
Along with him, Spider-Man: No Way Home star Tom Holland was also confirmed as a cast member. In October, Esquire mentioned that the two have joined the film in the “father-and-son story for the ages” and are expected to lead the project.
Anne Hathaway and Zendaya have also are also on board. For Hathaway, this would be her third collaboration with the master filmmaker after The Dark Knight Rises (2012) and Interstellar. On the other hand, it is Zendaya’s first time working with Nolan. Also joining the cast is Lupita Nyong’o, marking her first Christopher Nolan film.
Next on the list is Tenet star Robert Pattinson. Variety confirmed the news on 20 November 2024.
Other actors joining The Odyssey are Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Bill Irwin, Samantha Morton and Mia Goth.
Universal Pictures revealed the title in December 2024
On 24 December, Universal Pictures revealed the name of Nolan’s next film. The production house posted on X, “Christopher Nolan’s next film ‘The Odyssey’ is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology.”
Hinting at the plot, the post stated that Homer’s epic poem is the basis of this anticipated movie.
Christopher Nolan’s next film ‘The Odyssey’ is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.
— Universal Pictures (@UniversalPics) December 23, 2024
Release date and production
Universal Pictures also confirmed the release date. The project is expected to start shooting in early 2025 and will be released worldwide on 17 July 2026 on IMAX film screens.
This is the second collaboration between Nolan and Universal Pictures, the production house behind his Oscar-winning historical epic Oppenheimer.
Depicting the life and works of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb and who also headed the Manhattan Project during World War II, the film was a massive success and has amassed a worldwide box office collection of over USD 975 million, according to Box Office Mojo. This move came after Nolan severed ties with Warner Bros after Tenet (2020) due to disagreements over simultaneous OTT and theatrical releases.
Do we know about the plot of the new Christopher Nolan movie?
Homer’s Odyssey, the foundation of the new Nolan film, is one of the most integral foundational texts of Western literature. The epic eulogy narrates the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca and his arduous homeward journey home after the Trojan War. It depicts heroism, loyalty, deceit and the hero’s ardent struggle against the divine.
The ancient Greek poem also includes iconic episodes like Odysseus’ encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens and the witch-goddess Circe. It finally ends with his reunion with his wife Queen Penelope.
(Hero Image Credit: Photo by Melissa Moseley – © 2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved via IMDb; Featured Image Credit: © TM &DC Comics.2008 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Via IMDb)
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The upcoming Christopher Nolan movie, 'The Odyssey' will release on 17 July 2026.
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Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.
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