As one of the most prominent directors of his generation, Christopher Nolan is known for helping to propel more unknown actors to stardom and showing new sides of well-known performers in his movies. Since the news of Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey broke, I’ve been thinking about what actors he should tap to star in the project. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey already has a stacked cast, with huge names like Zendaya, Matt Damon, and Lupita Nyong’o already attached (via ᴅᴇᴀᴅline). However, I know that a sweeping tale like The Odyssey will require a large ensemble cast.

Even if Nolan doesn’t work with these actors in The Odyssey, I know he’ll have another exciting project on the heels of this one. After seeing Cillian Murphy win for Oppenheimer after working with Nolan for many years, I thought of how many performers have been singled out for their work in his projects. Many of these actors are veterans who would lend their authority and expertise to Nolan’s filmography, while others are smaller stars who are at a pivotal moment in their careers. Regardless, I can see how working with Nolan would bolster both the filmmaker and these artists.

8

Viola Davis

Known for Fences (2016)

I was somewhat surprised to discover that Viola Davis and Christopher Nolan have never worked together, as Davis is doubtlessly one of the best actresses of her generation. One of the few performers to earn an EGOT, Davis shines in television, film, on stage, and pretty much every artistic project she sets her mind to. At this point in her career, Davis only takes on roles she’s genuinely pᴀssionate about, so Nolan would have to come to her with an unforgettable project.

Since The Odyssey is an adaptation and has fantasy elements, Davis would be an incredible name to add to the cast of Nolan’s next movie.

Recently, I was excited to hear that Davis has been tapped to star in the Children of Blood and Bone movie adaptation. This is similar to her role in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and shows that Davis might be interested in working on more literary adaptations. Since The Odyssey is an adaptation and has fantasy elements, Davis would be an incredible name to add to the cast of Nolan’s next movie.

7

Leo Woodall

Known for One Day (2024)

After playing the secretive and unscrupulous Jack in The White Lotus season 2, Leo Woodall pivoted to embodying the pinnacle of a romantic leading man as Dex in Netflix’s One Day. Though these characters couldn’t be more different, I had no trouble believing Woodall in both TV shows. Since The White Lotus, Woodall’s star has been on the rise, with his upcoming role in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy generating interest in his future in film.

Woodall falls in line with the type of actor that Nolan typically casts in his movies, as he’s British and early enough in his career that Nolan could collaborate with him many times over. After proving himself in several of these prestige television shows, it’s time for Woodall to cement himself as a movie actor and take on a project that doesn’t further his typecasting as a romantic interest. Woodall has even expressed interest in working with Nolan in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar.

6

Monica Barbaro

Known for A Complete Unknown (2024)

I was swept away by Monica Barbaro when I saw her in A Complete Unknown. Though Timothée Chalamet has the most screen time in the Bob Dylan biopic, Barbaro stole every scene she was in as Joan Baez. However, the actress isn’t just skilled at portraying emotionally rich moments but is just as engaging in the action genre. Some of her early work in Top Gun: Maverick and the TV series FUBAR, demonstrates Barbaro’s versatility, making her perfect for a Nolan movie.

Though not all of Nolan’s work can be characterized as pure action, plenty of his projects feature complex fight sequences and stunts. However, there are also emotional moments and pivotal scenes that rely on the actor being able to tap into a deep place of pain and truth. This is a difficult balance, but Barbaro’s filmography thus far makes me think she could easily walk this line and distinguish herself in Nolan’s work.

5

Cate Blanchett

Known for Tár (2022)

In both film and television, whenever Cate Blanchett appears on screen, I know I’m in for an amazing viewing experience. One of my earliest exposures to Blanchett was her work as Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings, but she’s worked across genres and has a movie or TV project for all interests and tastes. Though Blanchett seamlessly fits into every role she’s cast in, I could easily imagine her taking part in The Odyssey, as she’s so well known for portraying powerful and intimidating female characters, of which there are many in The Odyssey​​​​​​.

Though it’s a bit surprising that Cate Blanchett is an actor who’s never worked with Christopher Nolan, plenty of her work has played with themes that are essential to Nolan’s filmography. Nolan frequently plays with time and structure in his movies, and Blanchett would have no trouble engaging with these complex scripts. In Tár, I was astounded by how well Blanchett disappeared into her role, which is something actors who work with Nolan must do since so many of them are stars.

4

Colman Domingo

Known for Sing Sing (2024)

One of the best actors of his generation, Colman Domingo’s filmography has consistently delighted and surprised me, with Domingo consistently shining as my favorite part of his movies. His recent film, Sing Sing, is a moving portrait of the way art gives humanity and agency back to incarcerated people. This is only the latest in Domingo’s excellent work both on and off screen, as he also served as an executive producer on Sing Sing. Working with Nolan would be a departure from Domingo’s contemporary trajectory, but he would be an unforgettable addition to one of Nolan’s projects.

Domingo is known for taking on incredible characters and projects, adding his name and skill to films that shine a light on underrepresented voices.

Though Domingo isn’t predicted to win the 2025 Oscar for Best Actor, his role in Sing Sing marks his second nomination, with his performance in Rustin earning him the first. Domingo is known for taking on incredible characters and projects, adding his name and skill to films that shine a light on underrepresented voices. I could imagine Nolan taking a page out of Domingo’s book and engaging with these stories in the next phase of his career.

3

Willem Dafoe

Known for Poor Things (2023)

Willem Dafoe has been in some of the biggest movies I’ve seen in the last several years. His frequent collaborations with directors like Robert Eggers and Yorgos Lanthimos have been an exciting turn in his career, as I’ve seen Dafoe give amazing performances in avant-garde works as well as dramas rooted in realism, like The Florida Project​​​​​​. I’ve also noticed that Dafoe has become a big draw at the box office, though this doesn’t influence his decisions about what filmmakers he works with.

Though I doubt Nolan would have Dafoe don prosthetics as intense as in Poor Things or have him play a character on the brink of madness as in The Lighthouse, it’s surprising the pair haven’t collaborated yet. Nolan has brought many prestige actors like Dafoe into his ensembles in recent years, but Dafoe has never made an appearance. Even if it was just in a small cameo role, I would be excited to see Dafoe onscreen in any Nolan project.

2

Jessie Buckley

Known for I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

Charlie Kaufman’s mind-bending psychological thriller, I’m Thinking of Ending Things​​​​​, first brought Jessie Buckley to my attention and has established her as an important voice in new and interesting cinema. Since then, she has starred in the Academy Award-winning film Women Talking as well as the star-studded The Lost Daughter. With a background in theater and musical performances, Buckley has a wide array of talents that Nolan could take advantage of. I’ve watched Buckley’s star rise since I’m Thinking of Ending Things, and she’s worked with some incredible filmmakers.

Recently, Buckley returned to theater, playing Sally Bowles in the West End revival of Cabaret, for which she was universally praised.

While I would argue that Buckley has prioritized script and character the most in her work, Nolan has been focusing on these aspects of his films more in recent years. Since Buckley has experience working with auteurs in cinema, I could see her being compatible with Nolan. Recently, Buckley returned to theater, playing Sally Bowles in the West End revival of Cabaret, for which she was universally praised. This performance, along with her work in period dramas, makes me think she’d be perfect in one of Nolan’s projects.

1

Kirby

Known for The Sandman (2022–Present)

Though she’s best known for her TV work, I could easily see Kirby making the transition to movies by working with Nolan. Playing Death in The Sandman and ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Boy Detectives has been one of her biggest roles in recent years, but I also enjoyed watching her in the sci-fi series Sugar, Killing Eve, and Why Women Kill. Her genre work, particularly in sci-fi and fantasy, lends itself well to Nolan’s style, as he’s been known to infuse fantastical elements into his projects, like in Interstellar and The Prestige​​​​​.

A frequent criticism lodged against Nolan is that he doesn’t prioritize the depth of his female characters, which is something I want him to change in the future. Bringing talented young women into his casts is an important step in bridging this divide in his projects. Additionally, working with an actress like Kirby would help him appeal to audiences who typically seek out sci-fi and fantasy, as this is where I first encountered her work. Christopher Nolan could help introduce Kirby to a wide array of viewers, and she would certainly bring depth to his work.