Film enthusiasts and literature fans alike are buzzing with excitement as the makers of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming historical epic The Odyssey unveiled a striking new poster on Thursday. The haunting design features the rear view of a helmeted warrior, presumably Odysseus whose crest is formed from a line of vertebrae. Against a mist-shrouded blue backdrop dotted with shadowy silhouettes, the image sets an atmospheric tone that hints at both grandeur and introspection. The film’s title appears boldly beneath, accompanied by Nolan’s signature tagline-like simplicity.
In traditional Nolan fashion, audiences won’t have to wait for the film’s release to get a taste of his latest work. The director announced that a special prologue will screen exclusively in IMAX theaters ahead of Avatar: Fire and Ash. The teaser’s official caption reads: “A film by Christopher Nolan shot entirely with IMAX film cameras. Experience The Odyssey prologue in IMAX before Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
This marks the first time Homer’s The Odyssey, one of the cornerstones of Western literature, is being adapted entirely for the IMAX format. The original poem follows the perilous journey of Greek hero Odysseus as he strives to return home after the Trojan War, encountering gods, monsters, and his own inner turmoil along the way. With Nolan’s penchant for exploring human resilience, time, and reality, expectations are soaring for a philosophically charged and visually dazzling interpretation.
The film boasts an ensemble cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus, reuniting him with Nolan for the fourth time after The Departed (2006), Interstellar (2014), and the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer (2023). Joining him are Zendaya, Mia Goth, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, and John Leguizamo, a mix of modern powerhouses and frequent Nolan collaborators.
Earlier in the week, select IMAX audiences in the U.S. got a sneak peek at a six-minute sequence depicting the legendary Trojan Horse episode. Critics and early viewers described it as “jaw-droppingly immersive” , a blend of practical spectacle and emotional depth that could mark one of Nolan’s most ambitious sequences yet.
Written and directed by Nolan, The Odyssey is produced by him and Emma Thomas under their Syncopy banner. The production has spanned several breathtaking locations Greece, Italy, and Morocco, to capture the mythic landscapes of Homer’s world. Each setting, reportedly filmed using large-format IMAX cameras, is said to emphasize the natural lighting and geographic realism that distinguish Nolan’s style.
For Nolan, adapting The Odyssey could be seen as the culmination of his ongoing exploration of human journey and memory, themes that have defined Inception, Dunkirk, and Oppenheimer. By merging ancient myth with modern cinematic technology, The Odyssey may well bridge the timeless and the contemporary in a way few filmmakers can.
The Odyssey is slated for worldwide theatrical release on July 17, 2026, a date already circled by cinephiles and scholars alike. With Nolan’s trademark dedication to large-format filmmaking and a cast of Hollywood heavyweights, this adaptation promises to be more than a retelling, it’s shaping up to be an odyssey in itself.
In traditional Nolan fashion, audiences won’t have to wait for the film’s release to get a taste of his latest work. The director announced that a special prologue will screen exclusively in IMAX theaters ahead of Avatar: Fire and Ash. The teaser’s official caption reads: “A film by Christopher Nolan shot entirely with IMAX film cameras. Experience The Odyssey prologue in IMAX before Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
This marks the first time Homer’s The Odyssey, one of the cornerstones of Western literature, is being adapted entirely for the IMAX format. The original poem follows the perilous journey of Greek hero Odysseus as he strives to return home after the Trojan War, encountering gods, monsters, and his own inner turmoil along the way. With Nolan’s penchant for exploring human resilience, time, and reality, expectations are soaring for a philosophically charged and visually dazzling interpretation.
The film boasts an ensemble cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus, reuniting him with Nolan for the fourth time after The Departed (2006), Interstellar (2014), and the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer (2023). Joining him are Zendaya, Mia Goth, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, and John Leguizamo, a mix of modern powerhouses and frequent Nolan collaborators.
Earlier in the week, select IMAX audiences in the U.S. got a sneak peek at a six-minute sequence depicting the legendary Trojan Horse episode. Critics and early viewers described it as “jaw-droppingly immersive” , a blend of practical spectacle and emotional depth that could mark one of Nolan’s most ambitious sequences yet.
Written and directed by Nolan, The Odyssey is produced by him and Emma Thomas under their Syncopy banner. The production has spanned several breathtaking locations Greece, Italy, and Morocco, to capture the mythic landscapes of Homer’s world. Each setting, reportedly filmed using large-format IMAX cameras, is said to emphasize the natural lighting and geographic realism that distinguish Nolan’s style.
For Nolan, adapting The Odyssey could be seen as the culmination of his ongoing exploration of human journey and memory, themes that have defined Inception, Dunkirk, and Oppenheimer. By merging ancient myth with modern cinematic technology, The Odyssey may well bridge the timeless and the contemporary in a way few filmmakers can.
The Odyssey is slated for worldwide theatrical release on July 17, 2026, a date already circled by cinephiles and scholars alike. With Nolan’s trademark dedication to large-format filmmaking and a cast of Hollywood heavyweights, this adaptation promises to be more than a retelling, it’s shaping up to be an odyssey in itself.
