Christopher Nolan to Adapt Homer’s “The Odyssey” for Universal Pictures

Wonderful news! Universal Pictures said that Christopher Nolan will make a movie version of Homer’s famous poem, “The Odyssey.” The film will be released on July 17, 2026. Following the success of his Oscar-winning film Oppenheimer, this project marks Nolan’s second collaboration with Universal.

The movie version will feature stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. Universal says the movie is a “mythic action epic” that will be shot in beautiful places worldwide using cutting-edge IMAX film technology.

Among the most important works of Western writing is Homer’s The Odyssey, written around the 8th century BCE. The story continues as the King of Ithaca, Odysseus, tries to get back home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he meets mythical creatures and divine beings, and in the end, he has a heartfelt reunion with Penelope, his faithful wife.

This new version adds to the many ways Homer’s work has been interpreted. Kirk Douglas’s 1954 film “Ulysses” and Armand Assante’s 1997 miniseries “Ulysses” are two notable versions that have already happened. James Joyce’s “Ulysses” and the Coen Brothers’ film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” are just two of the many artistic works that this story has influenced.

After the announcement, there will be no more rumors about Nolan’s next project. Suggestions ranged from vampire stories to stories about helicopter pilots. This is when Nolan usually starts making big movies, so “The Odyssey” should start filming in early 2024.

After the critical and financial success of Oppenheimer, this project demonstrates Universal’s ongoing dedication to high-profile films directed by visionary filmmakers. The studio’s choice to shoot in IMAX suggests that it wants to give moviegoers an amazing visual experience.