The first teaser for Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, has finally been revealed, as it plays exclusively in theaters. After winning several Oscars for Oppenheimer, Nolan is venturing into Greek mythology with an adaptation of Homer’s Greek epic poem The Odyssey. The story centers around Odysseus, a heroic king, and his perilous journey home after the ten-year Trojan War.
The Odyssey teaser footage features several sH๏τs of Nolan’s beautiful landscape and production design, highlighting the ancient Greek setting. The highlight of the teaser is a conversation between Tom Holland’s Telemachus and Jon Bernthal’s mystery character, as Telemachus tries to understand what happened to his father. It ends with Matt Damon’s Odysseus floating on a piece of rubble in the middle of the ocean.
In addition to Damon, Holland, and Bernthal, the film also stars Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron. As previously stated, audiences can only see the footage in theaters before Jurᴀssic World Rebirth.
What This Teaser Means For The Odyssey
There Are Still Plenty Of Unknowns Regarding Nolan’s Next Film
The Odyssey is a vast and dense text filled with rich storytelling that Nolan will likely spend plenty of time exploring. There are hints at various story elements in the teaser, such as Odysseus’ role in the Trojan War. Odysseus fought for the Greeks and developed the idea of the Trojan Horse, allowing the Greeks to get through the gates of Troy and conquer the city.
A shadow of the horse is reflected on a beach, hinting that Nolan will bring this legendary scene to life. The teaser also suggests that the film will chronicle two separate journeys: Odysseus’ voyage home and Telemachus’ search for his father. Holland’s conversation with Bernthal shows he is looking for him, but there are too many rumors about his location.
Besides Damon and Holland, much of The Odyssey cast remains unknown. Bernthal’s character is rumored to be either Antinous, the villainous suitor of Telemachus’ mother, played by Hathaway, or the bitter Menelaus, whose wife, Helen, left him for Paris, the Prince of Troy, and started the war. Theron did confirm she’s playing the sorceress, Circe, who helps Odysseus.
Our Take On The Odyssey’s First Teaser
Nolan May Need to Clear Space For Another Oscar
Nolan finally got his coveted Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture for 2023’s Oppenheimer. The film was one of his most highly praised films, and The Odyssey looks like it could reach those heights. The one thing award voters love even more than biopics is historical epics, placing his next film as an early award favorite for 2026.
It could also be a box office hit for Universal, given the anticipation. Oppenheimer broke many box office records for biopics, garnering over $975 million worldwide. Nolan is already a name that draws audiences, and the promise of an action spectacle set in Ancient Greece could push The Odyssey into billion-dollar territory.
The Odyssey will release in theaters on July 17, 2026.
