First Look at Jon Bernthal and Tom Holland in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Revealed
Christopher Nolan is back with a huge new movie called The Odyssey, an epic action fantasy based on the ancient Greek poem by Homer. The film tells the story of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, the king of Ithaca who faces many dangers on his long journey home after the Trojan War.
Along the way, he encounters famous mythical creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe, played by Charlize Theron. The movie also stars Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, and Jon Bernthal among a large, star-studded cast.
This is Nolan’s first project after his 2023 hit Oppenheimer. The project was announced in December 2024 and has a massive budget of around $250 million, making it the most expensive movie Nolan has ever made.
It is also notable for being the first big movie filmed entirely with IMAX film cameras. Production started in February 2025 and took place across many countries, including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, the UK, and Ireland.
Matt Damon was confirmed early on as Odysseus, and the first look images of him in costume sparked some debate about the historical accuracy of his armor. Alongside him, Nolan gathered a talented cast including Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, and more.
Christopher Nolan, who wrote, directed, and co-produced the film through his company Syncopy, teamed up with Universal Pictures for this project. The film is set for a theatrical release in the US on July 17, 2026.
In a recent reveal, fans got the first look at Jon Bernthal and Tom Holland in their roles for The Odyssey. This glimpse into the film adds excitement for Nolan’s ambitious retelling of the classic story.
First Look at Jon Bernthal and Tom Holland in Christopher Nolan's 'THE ODYSSEY.#ChristopherNolan | #TheOdyssey pic.twitter.com/PlPmO2DbMc
— Abhilash (@Abhilashkv20) July 3, 2025
The filming took place in stunning locations that matched the epic scale of the story. Scenes featuring the Cyclops Polyphemus were shot in Greece near the Methoni Castle and Nestor’s Cave. Production then moved to the Aeolian Islands in Italy, which are also mentioned in the original poem. Later, shooting continued in studios in Los Angeles, before wrapping up with shoots in Iceland, Scotland, and other parts of Europe.
The film’s music is composed by Ludwig Göransson, who worked with Nolan before on Oppenheimer. Ellen Mirojnick is in charge of costumes, adding to the film’s grand feel.
Christopher Nolan said this project has been a dream for him, taking on one of the oldest and most famous stories in Western literature and bringing it to life in a new way. Universal Pictures describes the movie as a “mythic action epic” full of adventure and drama.
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