Christopher Nolan draws on Greek mythology for his next summer blockbuster, The Odyssey.
On Monday, December 22, Universal Pictures dropped the first trailer for The Odysseythat provides the first proper look at Nolan’s epic take on Homer’s ancient Greek poem. It stars Matt Damon as Odysseus as he tries to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
Described simply as “a mythic action epic shot around the world using brand new IMAX film technology,” The Odyssey marks Nolan’s first project since Oppenheimer won awards season in 2023. The trailer flashes through key moments from Odysseus’ life, including scenes from the Trojan War, the iconic Trojan horse, and the hero’s long, perilous journey home.
“After years of war, no one could stand between my men and home – not even me,” says Odysseus.
The trailer also featured Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland as Odysseus’ wife and son, Penelope and Telemachus. Although Holland’s fiancee Zendaya does not appear in the trailer, he plays Athena, who tells Telemachus to seek news about his father.
“I need to find out what happened to my father. When was the last time you saw him?” asks Telemachus in an earlier theater-only preview.
“Some say he’s rich. Some say he’s poor. Some say he perished. Some say he’s in prison,” Jon Bernthal’s character replies. “What are you saying?”
“The prison?” asks Telemachus.
“What kind of prison can hold such a man?” Bernthal answers.
Nolan’s ensemble cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie and more. The film was shot across several locations, including Italy and Scotland.
The Odyssey hits theaters on July 17, 2026.
