Universal has released the first teaser for Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited film adaptation of Homer’s legendary story, The Odyssey.
The film tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, as he takes a long and winding journey back to his homeland after the Trojan War. Universal released a first look photo of Damon in costume in February. Damon will co-star with Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal and John Leguizamo. In addition to directing, Nolan wrote the script and produced the film with his wife Emma Thomas.
The trailer shows Odysseus being shipwrecked with his army on a perilous journey and returning home. He and his soldiers also appear in the infamous Trojan Horse, which was previously teased in a six-minute clip shown before the Imax 70mm screenings of “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another.” Odysseus walks on land, sails through seas, and walks through caves, including one where a large, creepy beast appears in the shadows. There’s also a brief shot of Holland, who plays Odysseus’ son Telemachus, and Hathaway, who plays Odysseus’ wife Penelope.
Universal announced last December that the film would be “shot around the world using the latest Imax film technology.” Universal executive Jim Orr hinted at CinemaCon that audiences can expect “a visionary, once-in-a-generation cinematic masterpiece that Homer himself would probably be proud of.”
Leguizamo compared Nolan’s work ethic to that of an independent filmmaker. “He’s not doing it by committee, he’s not doing it at the direction of the studio,” the actor said during a recent appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
“He’s like an indie filmmaker, but he has a hell of a lot of money,” Leguizamo added.
Nolan’s most recent blockbuster was Oppenheimer, which won seven Oscars in 2024. The filmmaker told Variety in 2023 that he doesn’t know what he’ll work on next after Oppenheimer, but added, “Whatever I do, it has to feel completely my own. It has to be my original. The first seed of an idea may come from somewhere, but it has to come through my fingers tapping on the keyboard.” Only through my eyes. ”
“The Odyssey” will be released in theaters on July 17th.
