Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' might have been the most expensive production of his career to date. Read to know the inspiration behind the movie.
Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, The Odyssey has just dropped its first high-octane trailer on December 22, 2025. It has generated a huge buzz on social media and varied responses from audiences and critics. The film marks Christopher Nolan's first foray into the period epic genre and is the first feature-length film shot entirely on IMAX 70mm. The movie's high production costs and ensemble cast have heightened anticipation for its release. As the gripping trailer was unveiled, fans started trying to find the movie's connection to the Greek epic it is based on.
Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, The Odyssey, is based on the ancient Greek epic poem of the same name by Homer. The film is a direct adaptation of this foundational piece of Western literature. The film chronicles the legendary Greek king, 'Odysseus' (played by Matt Damon), perilous ten-year journey home to the island of Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War. Along the way, Odysseus and his crew face numerous ordeals, including encounters with mythical creatures like the 'Cyclops' and the 'Sirens', powerful gods (like Poseidon), and an enchantress like 'Circe' (played by Charlize Theron).
Back in Ithaca, 'Odysseus's' wife, 'Penelope' (played by Anne Hathaway) and son, 'Telemachus' (played by Tom Holland) struggle to deal with a host of persistent suitors who have invaded their palace, believing 'Odysseus' to be dead. The story also focuses on 'Telemachus' frantic search for news of his father. Christopher Nolan will bring the ancient mythological story to life on screen using practical effects and shooting entirely on IMAX 70mm film across real-world locations, including Greece, Morocco, and Iceland. The film is a big-budget adaptation of Homer's epic poem.
Matt Damon plays the central role of 'Odysseus', the legendary King of Ithaca, who embarks on his 10-year journey home. Tom Holland plays 'Telemachus', the son of 'Odysseus', who is determined to find his long-lost father. Anne Hathaway has been cast as 'Penelope', the faithful wife of 'Odysseus', who resists suitors in Ithaca while awaiting her husband's return, whom others consider dead. Robert Pattinson stars as 'Antinous', one of 'Penelope's' primary and most ill-intentioned suitors. Zendaya plays 'Athena', the goddess of wisdom and war, who serves as a protector and guide to 'Odysseus' on his arduous journey.
Charlize Theron has been cast as 'Circe', a powerful goddess and sorceress who encounters 'Odysseus' on his voyage. In the supporting roles, we have Jon Bernthal as 'Menelaus', the Greek King of Sparta, and Benny Safdie as 'Agamemnon', the commander of the Achaean forces during the Trojan War. Mia Goth plays the role of 'Melantho', a maid in the palace of Ithaca, and British Indian actor, Himesh Patel has been cast as 'Eurylochus', Odysseus's second-in-command during the journey.
The estimated budget for Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, The Odyssey, is USD 250 million. Produced by Universal Pictures and Syncopy, the film is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026. At this reported cost, it ties with The Dark Knight Rises as the most expensive production of Christopher Nolan's career to date. While the exact cast fees of the actors haven't been revealed yet, for big-budget films like this, lead actors typically earn something between USD 10 million and 30 million, as reported by Flickonclick.
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