Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey opens worldwide, shot entirely on IMAX film

Christopher Nolan's long-anticipated adaptation of Homer's Odyssey opens in cinemas worldwide on July 17, marking the first feature film shot entirely on IMAX 70mm. The $250 million epic was filmed across six countries over 91 days, with the production finishing nine days ahead of schedule despite its ambitious scope.

The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, alongside Anne Hathaway as Penelope, his wife who waits 20 years for his return. Tom Holland plays Telemachus, Odysseus's son, while Zendaya portrays the goddess Athena. The ensemble cast also includes Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, and Samantha Morton. Nolan designed the production to prioritize authenticity and accessibility, using real ships on real seas, constructing a full-scale 10.6-meter Trojan Horse, and filming in remote locations including Mediterranean regions. The director rejected traditional Hollywood approaches to depicting antiquity, opting instead for colloquial language, American accents, and period instruments including bronze gongs and the lyre for the score, composed by Ludwig Göransson.

Nolan spent years conceptualizing the adaptation before beginning a six-month writing process. He drew inspiration from various classical texts including The Iliad, The Aeneid, and Agamemnon to create a narrative that balances the poem's epic scale with intimate character development. The director deliberately challenged his cast and crew, warning Matt Damon that the production "would be really hard." According to reports, Samantha Morton's performance as Circe received a standing ovation from cast and crew—the first such moment on a Nolan set since Heath Ledger's Dark Knight performance in 2008.

Several cast members agreed to participate before learning their roles, citing Nolan's reputation as a filmmaker. Actor John Leguizamo received his casting offer during a lunch meeting and had to contain his excitement. Zendaya read the script over Tom Holland's shoulder before Nolan separately offered her the role of Athena. Early critical impressions, released before the official embargo lifts, have been predominantly positive across social media.