Adapting one of the best-known and influential stories in human history is enough to get people buzzing for a summer blockbuster. Add in the technical breakthroughs, total IMAX shooting, the star-studded cast, and a much-loved director on a hot streak, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a huge hit at the box office.
In July, The Odyssey will finally arrive, having been incredibly well-backed by its production studio, Universal Pictures. In fact, it’s being reported that the span of the project had a budget of one-quarter of a million dollars. So, with the rule of thumb for turning a profit, The Odyssey will need to eclipse half-a-million when it arrives.
An Intense Shooting Experience
The Odyssey is an epic story that tells of a war hero who just wants to get home. Meanwhile, his family left at home attempts to fend off any and all suitors who wish to take his throne. Along the way, the gods themselves interfere with the quest of Odysseus, as do all manner of mythical beasts and beings.
Nolan wanted to bring the ancient Mediterranean to life, and so, the production trail was long and globe-trotting. Over 91 days of shooting in 2025, the team went from Scotland to Iceland, Italy to Morocco, and Greece to the Universal lot in the US. As the GQ interviews detail, it was a grueling process that’s aimed at making the best film possible.
While CGI will, obviously, be a feature of the film, they kept scenes, sets, and characters as real as possible throughout the trip from the siege of Troy to the hero’s island home of Ithaca. Naturally, the visual effects work also piled onto the budget. Even so, the reported cost of $250 million requires at least $500 million to turn a profit.
Was it Worth the Gamble?
There’s an absurd amount of hype around The Odyssey well before it actually hits the big screen. This is despite the somewhat questionable choices showcased in one of the more recent trailers – after all, you can’t unsee Matt Damon shouting “let’s go” like an excited online sports fan before trudging off-camera.
Even so, there’s enough of a draw from the cast, the director, the potential of an all-in IMAX experience, and the story to captivate millions well before the reviews come out. Homer’s The Odyssey continues to resonate to this day, and will bundle in an added draw thanks to its use of deities, which many find themselves intrigued by today.
One of the headline gods of the story, and who will reportedly feature in the film, is Athena. The goddess of wisdom and battle is a centerpiece hero of the ancient world who still commands attention today. It’s why she appears in Immortals and across several games on the site for online bingo UK players can access.
Legacy of Athena, Wisdom of Athena 1000, and Age of the Gods: Athena vs Ares headline the collection based around this popular goddess. They stand side-by-side with Zeus vs Hades – Gods of War and Olympus Strikes as top picks within the ever-popular theme. Athena’s inclusion, and the exclusion of some others, also plays to one of the many strengths of the original works.
As was reviewed by UoC classicists, the hope is that more divine and human females will be showcased throughout Nolan’s big- budget movie. Odysseus’ mother, Anticleia, should be a prominent source of drama in the Underworld, while the Sirens, the burner of ships Nausicaa, and Queen Arete also have huge parts to play.
The Odyssey is already being framed as the cinematic event of the decade and not to be missed. The trust of the director, quality of the cast, and story behind the film should all be enough to get it well past the half-a-million mark.
Elara is a dynamic writer and blogger who specializes in pop culture and movie reviews. With a background in film studies and journalism, she combines her deep knowledge of the entertainment industry with a sharp, insightful writing style that keeps readers coming back for more.
