Zendaya apparently had two of hers The Odyssey co-stars feel a little jealous on the set.
According to Matt Damon, director Christopher Nolan gave Zendaya praise so rarely that both Damon and Tom Holland couldn’t stop talking about it.
speaks to Elle to Zendaya’s latest May 21 cover story, Damon explained that Nolan is famously reserved when reacting to scenes. “Yep, good. Okay,” is apparently about as excited as the Oscar-winning director gets after a successful take.
But Zendaya managed to earn something far more intangible: a “perfect” take.
“Empty [Holland] and I was obsessed with this. Does she have a ‘perfect’ one? I never even got a ‘big one’. She got a ‘perfect’?” Damon, 55, recalled.
The actor, who plays Odysseus in the upcoming epic, admitted the compliment sparked ongoing banter between him and Holland, who plays Odysseus’ son Telemachus. “He and I bi*ched about it throughout the rest of the movie. ‘Did you get anything today?’ ‘No, I got a ‘good’ – to move on’.”
The feat becomes even more impressive as Zendaya was juggling four different projects at the time of filming: The Odyssey, Euphoria season 3, Dune: Part Three, and The drama.
“I remember being on the set for Euphoria; it was a night shoot on a ranch. I was so tired but I also learned my Chakobsa lines Dune,” said the actress, 29. “It’s not like I have a lot of lines in me The Odysseybut I worked with Christopher Nolan! The most embarrassing thing in life would be messing up my lines, which happened once,” she admitted.
Thankfully, Nolan had nothing but praise for Zendaya’s professionalism and “grace” during the demanding shoot, calling her “a true movie star, but also an incredible actor.”
Zendaya portrays the goddess Athena in the upcoming film, which is based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic. The ensemble cast also includes Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o and Charlize Theron.
The Odyssey hits theaters on July 17, 2026.
