Christopher Nolan Says THE ODYSSEY Creator Homer Was Basically the Original Marvel and George Lucas

There’s something pretty awesome happening with The Odyssey, and director Christopher Nolan is digging into what makes this ancient story tick and connecting it directly to the kind of blockbuster storytelling audiences obsess over today.

According to Nolan, this isn’t just an old epic getting a modern upgrade, it’s the foundation for everything from superhero movies to massive cinematic universes.

While appearing on The Late Show, Nolan put it in terms that movie fans instantly understand. “The thing about Homer… it is the Marvel of its day.”

That comparison reframes The Odyssey as something that once carried the same cultural weight as today’s biggest franchises. These stories were the event entertainment of their time.

Nolan went a step further and lined Homer up with one of the most influential storytellers in modern cinema, George Lucas. “Homer, in a way, is the sort of George Lucas of his time,” he said.

It’s an interesting way to look at it. The idea of gods interacting with humans, larger-than-life heroes, and sprawling adventures across worlds is something we see constantly in Marvel and DC films. Nolan’s point is that none of this is new, it’s just evolved from what Homer was doing centuries ago.

That perspective makes Nolan’s take on The Odyssey feel more like a return to the origin of blockbuster storytelling, which is interesting to think about.

Matt Damon steps into the role of Odysseus, with Tom Holland playing Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and Robert Pattinson showing up as Antinous.

Nolan also had some praise ready for Holland, calling him “an incredible talent” and saying he’d happily work with him again.

Still, Nolan knows exactly what he’s stepping into with this project. “Anyone taking on The Odyssey is taking on the hopes and dreams of people for epic movies everywhere,” he said.

He understands the expectations aren’t small, and fans aren’t just looking for spectacle. They want something that respects the story at its core. As Nolan explained, audiences are hoping for a “strong and sincere interpretation,” which is clearly the target he’s aiming for.

From a production standpoint, the movie is going massive in every sense. It’s being shot entirely with IMAX cameras and filmed across multiple locations around the world. That commitment to scale lines up perfectly with the story’s reputation, blending old-school myth with modern filmmaking power.

With a release date locked in for July 17, 2026, The Odyssey is sure to be one of the most exciting and epic films on the horizon.