Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated adaptation of Homer’s epic myth is finally getting its grand reveal with striking new images from Empire Magazine, and the early glimpses confirm this will be one of cinema’s most ambitious projects ever attempted. The film promises an unprecedented scale that pushes mythological filmmaking into blockbuster territory like never before.
The Odyssey Takes Shape: First Images and Production Scope
The first official images showcase Matt Damon as the legendary hero Odysseus, armored and weathered, leading his crew through forests and across Greek shorelines alongside full-scale Trojan warships and a towering Trojan horse constructed on actual beaches. Christopher Nolan revealed that he shot over two million feet of IMAX 70mm film across 91 days of principal photography—which equates to roughly 139 hours of footage. The production took the cast to real locations across the Mediterranean, including filming on open ocean rather than studio tanks, with no green screens used in key sequences.
“We got the cast out there on the real waves, in the real places,” Nolan explained to Empire Magazine. “And yeah, it’s vast and terrifying and wonderful and benevolent, as the conditions shift. We really wanted to capture how hard those journeys would have been for people.”
What Matt Damon Is Saying About the Experience
Star Matt Damon, who previously collaborated with Nolan on Oppenheimer and Interstellar, described his experience filming The Odyssey as “the best experience of my career” without hyperbole. When reflecting on seeing the massive practical Trojan horse constructed on the beach for filming, Damon simply said: “I saw the horse on the beach and I was just like, ‘F—.’ It was just so cool.”
Damon praised the film as “exactly what you want of a summer movie” and emphasized its massive entertainment value. “It should be the most massively entertaining film. It should feel mythic,” he told Empire Magazine. The actor also highlighted Nolan’s meticulous approach to the script and practical execution, noting the director’s flexibility in capturing sequences with real action—such as having him actually run from a Cyclops rather than relying on effects work.
The Cast and Story Details
The ensemble cast includes Tom Holland as Telemachus (Odysseus’s son), alongside Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, and more. While specific character assignments remain largely undisclosed, the teaser trailer confirms Jon Bernthal will play King Menelaus and suggests Lupita Nyong’o may portray Helen of Troy.
The film faithfully adapts Homer’s ancient epic, following Odysseus on his perilous ten-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, complete with encounters with the Cyclops, Sirens, and the goddess Circe.
Filming Locations: Authenticity Across the Mediterranean
Principal photography spanned multiple international locations chosen to authentically capture Homer’s world. Nolan filmed extensively in Sicily, particularly on Favignana (known as “goat island”), which scholars believe inspired parts of Homer’s original epic. The production also shot in Greece, Morocco (including the historic settlement of Aït Benhaddou), Italy, Scotland, Iceland, and Western Sahara.
The $250 million budget—Nolan’s most expensive film to date—reflects the massive undertaking of shooting real-world action sequences across these authentic Mediterranean locations.
Release Date and Where to Watch
The Odyssey will premiere exclusively in theaters on July 17, 2026, through Universal Pictures. The film was shot entirely on IMAX 70mm cameras specifically developed for this production, and Nolan emphasizes the theatrical experience as essential to the film’s vision.
Tickets for the widest possible theatrical experience can be purchased through major cinema chains and ticketing platforms. Book your seats on Fandango for showtimes at AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, Cinemark, and other national chains. Atom Tickets also offers booking options for independent and regional theaters across North America.
For IMAX 70mm showings, which deliver up to 40% more image compared to standard cinemas and feature a 12-channel precision sound system designed for maximum immersion, check theater websites directly as availability varies by location. Many major IMAX locations, including those at leading AMC and Regal theaters in major cities, will offer the premium format experience.
International audiences in the UK can book tickets through the BFI IMAX and Science Museum IMAX websites. Canadian viewers can purchase through Cineplex, while Australian audiences have options through Hoyts and Event Cinemas.
Why Nolan Made This Film
Interestingly, Nolan was originally offered the chance to direct Troy (2004) but declined to make Batman Begins instead. The Odyssey represents his long-held vision to elevate mythological filmmaking with Hollywood’s resources and cutting-edge IMAX technology.
“As a filmmaker, you’re looking for gaps in cinematic culture, things that haven’t been done before,” Nolan explained. “And what I saw is that all of this great mythological cinematic work that I had grown up with—Ray Harryhausen movies and other things—I’d never seen that done with the sort of weight and credibility that an A-budget and a big Hollywood, IMAX production could do.”
He describes the film as “foundational” and “primal,” containing elements of numerous story types while delivering the mythic scope audiences expect from a summer blockbuster.
What to Expect
With a runtime likely exceeding three hours and shot in IMAX 70mm, The Odyssey represents Nolan’s most technically ambitious production to date. The film combines practical effects, real-ocean locations, authentic costume and production design, and an ensemble of acclaimed actors to bring Homer’s timeless epic to life on an unprecedented scale.
Whether you choose standard format or premium IMAX 70mm, prepare for an unparalleled cinematic experience when The Odyssey releases on July 17, 2026.
Don’t miss Christopher Nolan’s most ambitious film yet. Mark your calendars for July 17, 2026
