'The Odyssey' trailer breakdown: What's revealed about Nolan's epic

Official Trailer Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Per usual with Nolan films, there hadn’t been much information about the film despite the initial teaser, which was revealed almost a year ago. The latest trailer finally reveals the film’s massive scope, along with the star-studded cast supporting it.

For those unfamiliar with Homer’s Greek epic which the film is based on, the plot follows Matt Damon as Odysseus, the famous Greek king of Ithaca seeking to find his way home after his victory in the Trojan War, and the struggles of his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), who eagerly await his return while having to deal with a litany of usurpers wishing to overthrown Odysseus’ reign through marrying his supposedly “widowed” wife. His journey home is fraught with tragedy and hardship as the gods, forces of nature, and terrible misfortune impede his path.

Other stars are packed in the line-up, including Robert Pattinson as one of the villainous Ithacan suitors, Jon Bernthal as King Agamemnon, Charlize Theron as the goddess of witchcraft Circe, Zendaya as the goddess Athena, Lupita Nyong’o, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, and many other stars cast as characters from the epic poem.

Nolan has been praised for his efforts to blend cerebral, non-linear narratives wrought with complexity into his stories, which, at a glance, seem to run counter to the typical setup for a Greek mythology movie. Yet, it is this contrast that brings such great intrigue to the upcoming film. The recent trailer highlights the emotional toll that the separation from his family will exact on Odysseus, with several shots of Matt Damon visibly aging and becoming more ruggedly worn from his journey. As such, the film seems to promise just as much of a character journey as it does a fantasy epic.

“The Odyssey” Brings a New Challenge for Nolan

While many fans will rightly be drawn to the fact that “The Odyssey” features the combination of Batman, Spider-Man, The Punisher, and other notable actors associated with superhero roles, the biggest name draw of the film will be Nolan himself.

After proving that his directorial and writing talents can span any genre, from dramas to science fiction, superhero, historical, and war movies, his new take on the fantasy elements of Greek mythology will present a unique challenge for the director that fans are excited to see.

With a lore and background of the movie pulling from Greek mythology, one of the richest and most fantastical types of stories in history, Nolan is sticking to his principles as a filmmaker, opting to use real locations and practical effects instead of CGI characters and backdrops.

As such, one of the biggest highlights of the trailer was the sheer scope revealed for the film. Unlike its technical predecessor, “Troy,” which was limited to beaches and an arid landscape containing the great city, “The Odyssey” will feature breathtaking locations that aim to truly capture the gravity of the title’s namesake.  

The filming of “The Odyssey” spanned several coastal landscapes from Greece to Italy, including parts of the Greek mainland and even the Aeolian Islands around Sicily. In conjunction with these locations, filming has traversed various caves, beaches, and medieval fortresses to provide an accurate visual depiction that brings Homer’s epic to life.

“The Odyssey” will be released in IMAX on July 17th, 2026.