Universal Pictures has confirmed that Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey, will adapt Homer’s epic poem, one of the cornerstones of Western literature.
“Christopher Nolan’s next film The Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology,” the studio announced Monday in a post on X. “The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.”
The poem, composed in the 8th century BCE, chronicles the perilous journey of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he navigates trials and temptations on his way home from the Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters memorable figures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe, culminating in a long-awaited reunion with his wife, Penelope. Themes of heroism, loyalty, and divine intervention make The Odyssey a timeless tale that continues to inspire adaptations across various mediums.
Nolan’s film will bring together a powerhouse cast, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. Set to begin filming early next year, The Odyssey marks Nolan’s second collaboration with Universal following the success of Oppenheimer, his Best Picture-winning historical drama.
Previous adaptations of Homer’s work include the 1954 Italian film Ulysses, starring Kirk Douglas, and the 1997 miniseries The Odyssey, directed by Andrei Konchalovsky. The poem has also inspired modern works like James Joyce’s Ulysses, Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, and the Coen Brothers’ O Brother, Where Art Thou?
While speculation about Nolan’s next project ranged from vampires to helicopter pilots, The Odyssey promises to be a visual spectacle, blending the filmmaker’s signature approach to storytelling with the grandeur of IMAX technology.
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