Christopher Nolan to adapt Homer’s Odyssey

The star-studded cast already includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron

Christopher Nolan’s next cinematic venture is of epic proportions. Universal Studios confirmed Monday that Nolan will direct an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, the ancient Greek epic chronicling Odysseus’ arduous journey home following the Trojan War.

Described as a “mythic action epic,” the film will employ cutting-edge IMAX technology, that Nolan has spent the year developing. Scheduled for a global theatrical release on July 17, 2026.

Homer’s epic has previously inspired countless adaptations, from the 1954 classic Ulysses to the Coen Brothers’ O Brother, Where Art Thou?

While Nolan is no stranger to historical narratives, having directed Oppenheimer, which explored the creation of the atomic bomb, and The Prestige, a tale of 19th-century magicians, The Odyssey ventures into the realm of gods, monsters, and mythological intrigue. It’s a thematic shift for the filmmaker, though not entirely alien given his proclivity for elevating fantastical concepts, as seen in Inception and Interstellar.

The announcement also caps a monumental year for the filmmaker. Nolan earned his first Academy Awards for Oppenheimer and was knighted by King Charles, ahead of Interstellar breaking new records as the highest grossing IMAX re-release of all time.

Published - December 24, 2024 10:15 am IST