Christopher Nolan Returns with Star-Studded ‘The Odyssey’ Film

Christopher Nolan is finally returning to a story he has been drawn to for over two decades. His upcoming film, The Odyssey, marks the filmmaker’s long-awaited dive into Homer’s epic, a project whose roots trace back to his early career.

Years ago, Warner Bros. had initially brought Nolan on board to direct Troy when Wolfgang Petersen temporarily stepped away. “I was originally hired by Warner Bros. to direct Troy. Wolfgang Petersen had developed it, and when the studio decided not to proceed with Batman Vs Superman, he wanted it back,” Nolan recalled.

Nolan was instantly captivated by the material, especially the imagery surrounding the Trojan horse. However, Petersen eventually returned to the project, and Warner Bros. redirected Nolan to Batman Begins. What he initially considered a “consolation prize” evolved into a trilogy that redefined superhero cinema.

Petersen’s Troy, released in 2004, starred Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, and Diane Kruger. Although critics had mixed reactions, the film earned nearly $500 million worldwide. Meanwhile, Nolan’s Batman Begins became a turning point for Warner Bros., cementing his reputation as a visionary director.

Now, Nolan is revisiting Homer with The Odyssey, featuring an all-star cast including Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal. Nolan said he was drawn to the project because it allows him to bring “weight and credibility” to a story on a grand Hollywood scale.

Universal Pictures has scheduled The Odyssey for release on July 17, 2026, promising a cinematic spectacle that combines epic storytelling with Nolan’s signature visual style.