Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Receives High Praise at CinemaCon
Christopher Nolan and The Odyssey received high regard from Universal Pictures as production is underway for a 2026 release.
Universal’s presentation was at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. No new teasers were presented, but their studio distribution chief, Jim Orr, briefly mentioned the film during the presentation.
“We know this film will be a visionary, once-in-a-generation cinematic masterpiece that Homer himself would quite likely be proud of,” Orr stated.
Nolan’s film has put together a star-studded cast for the story’s retelling. Matt Damon is set to portray Odysseus, King of Ithaca. Other cast members include Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Ryan Hurst, Elliot Page, and more. Their roles have not yet been announced.
Homer’s poem followed the 10-year journey of King Odysseus, trying to return to Ithaca after the Trojan War. In his absence, his wife and son had to deal with suitors who were eyeing Odysseus’ throne.
The Odyssey was announced by Universal Pictures on X in December.
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
This is Nolan’s first film since Oppenheimer, which featured Matt Damon, Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr, and more.
The World War II-era film achieved wild success in the industry. It collected nine Oscars, seven BAFTAs, nine Critics’ Choice Awards, five Golden Globes, three SAG Awards, and more. Murphy won the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer. He also collected the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama.
The project is currently filming in Morocco and Sicily. The film’s release to theaters is set for July 17, 2026.
