Though The Odyssey is Christopher Nolan's next big-budget blockbuster, it appears the Oscar-winning director is running his upcoming adaptation like it's on a much smaller scale. One member of Nolan's star-studded cast claims the British helmer's production operates "like an indie film."

Speaking with MSNBC's Morning Joe (via Collider), Leguizamo opened up about principal photography for The Odyssey, which began last month in Morocco. Though the film is one of Nolan's priciest, Leguizamo spoke of the director's more humble approach to the production. “Dude, you know the thing is, okay, . It’s not small, but he runs [it] like an indie film because he’s not doing it by committee, he’s not doing it by what the studio says.,” he said.

The Odyssey won't come cheap for Nolan and Universal Pictures, with the film's budget being $250 million, matching his classic superhero movie, The Dark Knight Rises. The film is Nolan's first since another big-budget feature-length project, Oppenheimer, which won seven Academy Awards, including a Best Director Oscar for him. However, Leguizamo's comments allude to Nolan's appreciation for smaller productions, having named indie projects like Aftersun and Past Lives as two of his favorite movies.

Leguizamo is one of several famous faces Nolan recruited to star in The Odyssey, the big-screen adaptation of Greek author Homer's collection of poems. The film sees the Encanto star appear alongside Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway and Benny Safdie. Some images have emerged from the production, which spans Morocco, Greece, Sicily and the U.K., including looks at Holland's speculated character, Telemachus, and an unrecognizable Bernthal in his undisclosed role.

The Odyssey sees Damon star as Odysseus, the Ancient Greek king of Ithaca, chronicling his perilous journey home after the Trojan War as he looks to reunite with his wife, Penelope. Along the journey, Odysseus faces off against several dangerous obstacles, including the cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens and the witch goddess Circe. The Odyssey is the latest take on Homer's pieces, some of the oldest-ever literature in existence, with Homer breaking up the story of Odysseus' extensive voyage into 24 books, providing significant source material for Nolan to sift through.

For Leguizamo, The Odyssey is another major film to add to the award-winning actor's CV, having starred in the Ice Age and John Wick franchises. The epic fantasy-action movie is one multiple projects Leguizamo is working on as he's also attached to Ice Age 6.

The Odyssey opens in theaters on Jul. 17, 2026.

Source: Morning Joe