The Odyssey is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most impressive films, but Christopher Nolan needs to nail one important aspect of the original story right if he wants this adaptation to truly stand above all the others. Based on the epic poem of the same name, The Odyssey is already on track to be one of the most epic films. With a star-studded cast and set-pieces that have left stunt performers stunned by Nolan’s vision, The Odyssey could become the foundational epic of its time.

However, one important aspect of the original story that needs to be in the new version has often been cut by cinematic reinventions of Homer’s work. Nolan’s history as a filmmaker and his ambitions to take the medium to new heights suggest that he won’t follow suit, instead keeping them at the heart of the story. This is very important for The Odyssey, as it’s more than just a cool source of the story’s most memorable visuals.

Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey Needs To Go Big On The Mystical Elements

The Odyssey Has Too Many Supernatural Elements To Simply Ignore

One of the key aspects of The Odyssey that Christopher Nolan needs to get right in his upcoming adaptation of the epic poem is the focus on a fantastical world of living legends and mighty monsters. The story of The Odyssey is fairly straightforward, focusing on a man trying to return home to be reunited with his family, only to be held up by various challenges. Many of these threats prove to be supernatural in some nature, with the Greek general facing off with murderous giants and deceptive witche,s all while trying to dodge the ire of the Greek Pantheon.

These elements are a big part of what elevates The Odyssey above other epics, distinguishing the crafty Odysseus as a cerebral hero who outthinks his foes. These monsters and gods also put his humanity in stark contrast, making his difficult decisions (like following the orders of the Gods to kill Hector’s infant son or to give in to the temptations of Circe) all the more impactful. These gods and monsters flesh out the world and raise the stakes of even the most mundane of meetings. Any great adaptation of the material needs to bring it to awe-inspiring life.

Why Other Adaptations Of Homer Toned Down The Gods And Monsters

Most Cinematic Versions Of The Odyssey Are Set In Much More Grounded Worlds

One of the inherent challenges of bringing a fantasy epic like The Odyssey to live-action is the necessary expensive effects needed for the supernatural elements of the story. Those aspects present plenty of natural challenges to filmmakers, who largely focus on the more grounded human elements of the story. This results in strong and gritty films like The Return or reinventions of the premise that place the story and characters in more realistic settings (like The Return of Ringo, O Brother, Where Are Thou?, and Cold Mountain) being the rule instead of the exception.

Especially when the story is reimagined in a different period, it makes sense to remove more of the overtly supernatural elements. However, only O Brother, Where Art Thou? found a way to retain those inspirations and insert their own supernatural elements that force the characters to experience the same questions about faith, fate, and family that bedevil Odysseus during his journey. It makes sense on a certain level, but it’s always disappointing to see the ethereal and epic dangers of the original story be replaced with a more standard human drama.

Christopher Nolan Might Be The Only Person Who Can Do A Truly Epic Odyssey

Nolan’s Skill Set Could Finally Bring The Gods And Monsters Of The Odyssey To Life

All of that is exactly why it’s so exciting to see Christopher Nolan helming a seemingly authentic adaptation of the source material, ancient Greek setting and all. Nolan is one of the few directors working today who could actually pull off a production of the magnitude that would include the monsters and gods of the original story. Films Inception, Interstellar, and the Dark Knight Trilogy have all showcased Nolan’s talent for mᴀssive visuals that don’t disrupt the humanity at the core of the story.

This is crucial because an authentic take on The Odyssey could be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of film. The imagery of that epic poem has endured for thousands of years, serving as a clear inspiration for countless stories. Now, Nolan has the talent and the tools to recreate that story on a mᴀssive scale, with the effects and budget to justify the monsters and deities of the original story. The mystical elements of The Odyssey are vital to the story, and Christopher Nolan might be one of the only directors who can properly bring it to life on the big screen.