Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic adventure The Odyssey is already breaking traditional filmmaking rules by reimagining how classical myths are brought to the screen.
One of the major updates is the confirmation that the Oscar-winning Lupita Nyong’o will take on a demanding dual role. She is set to portray both Helen of Troy, the legendary figure blamed for starting a war, and her sister, Clytemnestra.
Notably, Travis Scott is also set to appear in the film. Nolan justified his decision to cast the rapper by drawing a direct parallel between ancient Greek traditions and modern music. In a recent interview with Time, he stated:
“I cast him because I wanted to nod towards the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap.”
The Odyssey casting explained: Christopher Nolan defends his creative decisions
Additionally, Nolan chose not to cast actors as the gods of Mount Olympus in a traditional way. While he initially considered the idea, he ultimately decided that the gods should exist mainly through nature and the personal beliefs of the characters. He stated:
“I became more interested in the idea that, to people in that period, evidence of gods was everywhere. The wonderful thing about cinema, and IMAX in particular, is that you can take an audience to a place of immersion, feeling close to events like storms, turbulent seas, high winds. You want the audience to be on the boat with them fearing the ocean, fearing the wrath of Poseidon, the way the characters do. That to me is so much more powerful than any individual image you can have [of a god].”
The Odyssey is based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic, a story that follows the Greek hero Odysseus on his grueling ten-year journey home after the fall of Troy. During his dangerous journey, he faces monsters, storms, gods, and several deadly challenges while trying to reunite with his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus.
The film features a huge ensemble cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus. Other major actors appearing in the movie include Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, and John Leguizamo. Travis Scott is also part of the cast, among several other actors.
The Odyssey was filmed across several countries using brand-new IMAX technology. Nolan reportedly shot the movie entirely on IMAX 70 mm cameras, making it the first feature film to use the format for the entire production. The film reportedly carries a massive budget of around $250 million, making it the most expensive movie of Christopher Nolan’s career so far.
Universal Pictures will release The Odyssey in theaters on July 17, 2026.
Edited by Suchita Patnaha