Watch the Director's The Odyssey Preview the Way It Was Never Intended to Be Seen.
Christopher Nolan's mythic action epic, The Odyssey, is a film audiences have been anticipating ever since it was revealed. It easily ranks as one of the most awaited motion pictures coming next year. In a festive surprise, a trailer has finally arrived, even if it's compromised due to the platform's low-quality encoding—perhaps explaining why Nolan initially kept the preview exclusive to cinemas.
A First Glimpse of the Stellar Ensemble
This first look showcases Matt Damon portraying Odysseus. We also see Tom Holland playing the son alongside Anne Hathaway as Penelope. During an emotional scene, the character pleads with Odysseus to promise his safe homecoming, to which he respond by asking what happens if he cannot. The trailer also offers a quick, obscured look at Polyphemus the Cyclops, from whom sheep are are taken by the hero and his men during their arduous journey.
Adapted from a foundational pillar in classic storytelling, The Odyssey chronicles the lengthy quest undertaken by the famed ruler. Following his victory in the Trojan War, as told in Homer's Iliad, Odysseus endures an extended and hazardous road home.
Legendary Obstacles and a Star-Studded Lineup
On his travels, the hero encounters numerous obstacles and mythical beings. This roster features the witch-goddess Circe, known for turning humans into pigs, and the deceptive Sirens. Despite these trials, Odysseus vows to overcome anything to reunite with Penelope and Telemachus in Ithaca.
This film's ensemble boasts an impressive lineup. Alongside the leading trio are Charlize Theron as the cunning Circe, alongside Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal.
A Tale of Many Adaptations
The classic poem has seen numerous adaptations throughout history. These range from modern retellings to a 1999 ballet. It has even been a stage musical adaptation called Epic: The Musical, presented as a multi-part album series.
A full-length preview was long awaited following the project's reveal and a brief teaser that previously played exclusively in theaters. That teaser subsequently found its way onto the internet soon after.
To see a clearer version, the trailer posted on the film's official social channel might deliver a better, clearer look.
The Odyssey will debut on global IMAX screens on July 17, 2026.
