Almost half of yesterday’s CinemaCon presentation was devoted to Universal projects — and the news that was most anticipated was about Christopher Nolan’s «Odyssey», which gathered all the «cream» of modern Hollywood for just one movie.
However, the studio did not show a teaser or even a single frame at the event, but only praised «Odyssey» with epithets that would have been the envy of ancient Greek poets — the film was called a once-in-a-generation» and a «cinematic masterpiece that Homer himself would most likely be proud of». Interestingly, the audience, according to journalists Variety, took these words with a laugh, although it seems that the studio was quite serious in its statements.
«The Odyssey» will be based on Homer’s epic poem written between the 8th and 7th centuries BC and will tell the story of the eponymous hero’s trials and tribulations journey home after the Trojan War in the hope of being reunited with his wife Penelope and their son Telemachus.
The film has an all-star cast that includes Matt Damon (Odysseus), Tom Holland (Telemachus) and Zendaya (Athena), among others, but first footage from behind the scenes met with criticism of historical accuracy in terms of clothing or set design. The rest of the actors who have not yet been officially announced (although this could have been done at the presentation for more information) are Benny Safdie, Himesh Patel, Elliot Page, Will Yun Lee, Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal, Mia Goth, Samantha Morton, Robert Pattinson, as well as Charlize Theron and Anne Hathaway (one of them is likely to play Odysseus’ wife Penelope). According to rumors, the film will also feature star «Shogun» Cosmo Jarvis.
It is expected that «Odyssey» will become the most expensive movie in Christopher Nolan’s career (according to some estimates, the budget exceeds $250 million). Principal photography began in February and covered locations such as Morocco, the United Kingdom and the Aeolian Islands in Italy. They are scheduled to wrap up in late summer, with a theatrical premiere tentatively scheduled for July 17, 2026.
Robert Downey Jr. turned down the role of the villain in «Odyssey» Christopher Nolan — and Marvel is to blame