New ‘The Odyssey’ Photos Show Zendaya as Athena and Nolan Says She Was Born for the Role
Christopher Nolan has never been a director who does things quietly. His latest undertaking is an epic fantasy action film based on Homer’s ancient poem, featuring one of the most stacked ensemble casts Hollywood has assembled in years, with Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, and Zendaya all stepping into the mythological world of ancient Greece. The film is described by Universal as a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology, and it carries an estimated production budget of $250 million, making it the most expensive of Nolan’s career.
Nolan appears to have understood from the start how profoundly Odysseus’s decade-long journey home from war is shaped by the women in his orbit. Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, stands among those most vital to the hero’s survival, and each of these iconic roles has been filled by a fittingly iconic actress. Universal has begun promoting the film in a major way, and as part of that rollout, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, and Lupita Nyong’o have all featured on newly revealed covers for ELLE Magazine, with the publication sharing new details about their respective characters and their experiences working with Nolan on set.
The ELLE coverage has given fans their most detailed look yet at Zendaya’s portrayal of Athena, and the images are striking. As Athena, Zendaya portrays the goddess of wisdom but also of war, serving as a guide and protector of Odysseus during his travels. In Homer’s original text, Athena acts as a divine benefactor and mentor to Odysseus and his family, often appearing in disguise to subtly guide them, deeply invested in his journey home. The new photo shared via ELLE captures Zendaya draped in muted linen, seated aboard what appears to be a wooden vessel, her expression carrying the kind of composed gravity that fits a goddess navigating the chaos of mortal struggle.
Nolan himself made clear that the casting was anything but accidental. The director described how Zendaya would arrive on the wildest, most chaotic days of shooting and bring an almost supernatural calm to the set, explaining that he chose her for her iconic grace and called her a true movie star but also an incredible actor, adding that playing a goddess is a tall order and she delivered. For her part, Zendaya acknowledged the sheer weight of her schedule right now. With ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 currently airing and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ and ‘Dune: Part Three’ also on the horizon, she told ELLE it is going to be a long year, but that she is genuinely proud of everything and loves her job.
The film itself is making cinematic history on a technical level. Nolan revealed during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that ‘The Odyssey’ is the first feature film ever shot entirely on IMAX film cameras, a feat that required the creation of an entirely new camera system weighing around 400 pounds, engineered specifically to solve the longstanding noise limitations of IMAX filmmaking. Filming took place across locations including the United Kingdom, Morocco, and various sites in Italy, with significant portions shot in the Aeolian Islands and Favignana, areas closely associated with Homer’s tale.
With the release date of July 17 fast approaching and the press machine now fully in motion, anticipation for ‘The Odyssey’ has reached a fever pitch. A full official trailer released in December accumulated over 121 million global views in its first 24 hours. Seeing Zendaya fully inhabiting the role of a Greek goddess, steely and serene on the deck of an ancient ship, only deepens the sense that Nolan may have pulled off something genuinely extraordinary here.
Whether you think she’s the perfect Athena or you’re still forming an opinion, the comments are waiting for your verdict.
