The highly anticipated new trailer for Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s ancient epic premiered Monday night and fully delivers on expectations. Universal Pictures released fresh footage that showcases the raw intensity and grand scale of one of literature’s most enduring stories.
Matt Damon stars as the legendary Odysseus, seen battling the fearsome Cyclops. Robert Pattinson delivers a menacing turn as Antinous, the scheming suitor intent on seizing the throne of Ithaca and claiming Penelope. The trailer debuted on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where Nolan also discussed the full cast and his approach to the material.
A Star-Powered Cast Brings Myth to Life
- Matt Damon as Odysseus
- Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus’s son
- Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Odysseus’s loyal wife
- Charlize Theron as Calypso, the nymph
- Robert Pattinson as Antinous, the cunning suitor
The trailer opens with Theron’s Calypso questioning a weary Odysseus about his memories. Significant new footage highlights Pattinson’s Antinous, conveyed through whispered schemes, sidelong glances, and quiet manipulation as he draws closer to Hathaway’s Penelope.
Additional highlights include a terrifying glimpse of the Cyclops gripping one of Odysseus’s men, intense battle sequences from the fall of Troy, what appears to be an encounter with the man-eating Laestrygonians, and a touching moment featuring Odysseus’s faithful dog, Argos.
Nolan Explains His Bold Vision
On Colbert’s show, Nolan confirmed that The Odyssey unfolds in a non-linear fashion, much like the original poem. The story begins in Ithaca, where twenty years have passed since Odysseus left for the Trojan War, and his kingdom is under strain with Penelope and Telemachus still awaiting his return.
Addressing the cast’s strong superhero credentials, Nolan embraced the parallel. He described Homer’s epic as “the Marvel of its day,” reflecting humanity’s timeless desire for stories where gods and mortals interact. He noted that modern comic books carry forward that same tradition.
Nolan also praised Tom Holland, saying he might have been among the last major directors to work with the actor and that he would eagerly collaborate with him again, calling Holland an “incredible talent.”
Technical Breakthroughs and Ambitious Scale
Beyond the ensemble cast, the production pushes filmmaking boundaries. The Odyssey is the first narrative feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras. Its reported $250 million net budget makes it Nolan’s most expensive film to date.
Filming ran from February to August 2025 across Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, Western Sahara, and Malta, plus soundstages in Los Angeles.
Mark your calendars: July 17, 2026.
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