Sir Christopher Nolan, after his recent successes in redefining superhero narratives, manipulating time, and delivering a nearly billion-dollar summer blockbuster, is embarking on his 13th feature film, "The Odyssey." This ambitious project marks a return to the roots of storytelling, as Nolan undertakes a sweeping adaptation of Homer’s foundational Greek poem. The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, chronicling his arduous and perilous journey home following the Trojan War.

True to Nolan's signature style, "The Odyssey" promises an epic scale that has already outstripped his previous work, "Oppenheimer," in sheer production magnitude. Nolan revealed to Empire that the production utilized over two million feet of film and involved a grueling 91-day ocean shoot, resulting in more than 380 hours of raw footage. This surpasses the raw length of "Oppenheimer's" celebrated 11 miles of IMAX film. A significant portion of the film was shot on authentic oceanic locations, immersing Damon and the cast in the raw, unforgiving power of nature. Nolan emphasized the desire to authentically portray the immense difficulty of ancient seafaring journeys, where protagonists embarked on a "leap of faith being made in an unmapped, uncharted world."

Nolan's connection to the story of Odysseus predates his recent blockbusters, as he revealed he was initially hired to direct "Troy" years ago, fueling a decades-long dream of exploring this mythological world. For him, "The Odyssey" is more than a myth; as his wife and producer, Emma Thomas, aptly described, "it's foundational" and "truly contains all stories." Nolan, always seeking gaps in cinematic culture, saw an opportunity to bring the weight and credibility of a major Hollywood, IMAX production to the mythological works he cherished, moving beyond the Ray Harryhausen movies of his youth. Consistent with his filmmaking philosophy, "The Odyssey" relies heavily on practical effects, large-scale stunts, and a profound belief in real-world filmmaking, embracing the physicality of the world to inform the narrative.

"The Odyssey" is currently in post-production and is slated for a worldwide release by Warner Bros. in July 2026. The film features a notable cast, with Matt Damon portraying Odysseus and Tom Holland as Telemachus, alongside Zendaya and Anne Hathaway in undisclosed roles.