Universal Pictures Reveals Matt Damon as Odysseus in First Look at Chistopher Nolan's The Odyssey

Matt Damon, dressed as Odysseus in a formidable side-profile shot, headlines the first look of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Nolan's adaptation, based on Homer's iconic epic poem, is eagerly anticipated for release on July 17, 2026, as confirmed by Universal Pictures. The image captures Damon in striking military armor, setting the tone for what promises to be a mythic action epic filmed globally utilizing cutting-edge IMAX technology. This is prepared by SSP.

This adaptation will not only feature Damon but also an A-list cast that includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron, with additions like Benny Safdie, Himesh Patel, Elliot Page, Bill Irwin, Samantha Morton, Jesse Garcia, and Will Yun Lee. This project is Nolan’s first major work after the success of Oppenheimer, which earned significant accolades at the Oscars.

The Odyssey, a staple of Western literary history, traces the arduous journey of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he navigates trials posed by legendary creatures and divine entities—including Polyphemus the Cyclops, Sirens, and Circe—to reunite with his wife Penelope. Previous adaptations of this epic have varied from the 1954 Italian film Ulysses to the 1997 miniseries, and more recently, The Return in 2024.

While stars flock to the project, some actors, like Skeet Ulrich, have shared the competitive disappointment that also surrounds such colossal projects. Despite setbacks, the nature of the film industry encourages resilience, underscored by the promise of future successes, as Ulrich voiced from MegaCon in Orlando. As anticipation builds, audiences look forward to the rendition hitting theaters in 2026.

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