Nolan’s Odyssey lands with Damon, Zendaya and a god-tier cast
Christopher Nolan’s Homer adaptation opens July 17 with Matt Damon as Odysseus and a stacked lineup of gods, monsters and palace schemers.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
Christopher Nolan is sending Matt Damon across stormy mythological waters in The Odyssey, a new adaptation of Homer’s Greek poem that opens in theaters July 17, according to Variety.
Damon stars as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, whose journey home after the Trojan War becomes a brutal test packed with divine warnings, monsters and memories of battle. Variety reported that this is Damon’s third film with Nolan after Interstellar and Oppenheimer, and his first time leading one of the director’s films.
The movie follows two fronts: Odysseus fighting his way back to Ithaca, and his family trying to hold the kingdom together while he is gone. Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, who is under pressure from suitors trying to take her hand and the throne. Tom Holland plays their son, Telemachus, who is close to adulthood and unsure whether his father is alive.
The big names around Ithaca
Variety identified Robert Pattinson as Antinous, a suitor seeking power in Odysseus’ absence. The character is tied to palace chaos, including an affair with Melantho and threats toward Telemachus.
Mia Goth plays Melantho, a servant of Penelope who works with Antinous in the film, while Corey Hawkins plays Polybus, another suitor aligned with him. Logan Marshall-Green appears as Melanthius, a servant who mocks Odysseus when the hero returns in disguise.
John Leguizamo plays Eumaeus, a nearly blind swineherd who remains loyal to Odysseus. According to Variety, Eumaeus is the first person Odysseus seeks out after coming home following years away.
Gods, monsters and war legends
Zendaya appears as Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, who visits Odysseus during his travels and reminds him of the violence of the Trojan War. Variety noted that Zendaya also stars with Holland and Jon Bernthal in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, due July 31.
Charlize Theron plays Calypso, a sea nymph who keeps Odysseus on her island for years. Samantha Morton plays Circe, the goddess who can turn humans into animals. Bill Irwin plays Polyphemus, the cyclops and son of Poseidon who is blinded by Odysseus and his men during their escape from his cave.
Benny Safdie plays Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae and commander of the Greek forces in the Trojan War. Jon Bernthal plays Menelaus, king of Sparta, brother of Agamemnon and husband of Helen of Troy.
Lupita Nyong’o has two roles, Variety reported: Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. Helen’s departure with Paris set off the Greek-Trojan conflict, while Clytemnestra is Agamemnon’s wife and Helen’s sister.
More Nolan reunions
Elliot Page plays Sinon, the Greek soldier connected to the Trojan horse ruse. Variety noted that Sinon does not appear in Homer’s original poem but is part of Virgil’s Aeneid. Page previously worked with Nolan on Inception.
Himesh Patel plays Eurylochus, Odysseus’ second-in-command, while James Remar plays Tiresias, the blind prophet Odysseus visits in hell. Travis Scott makes his acting debut as the bard who opens the film, and Variety reported that he also performs the end credits track, When I’m Home, which he co-wrote.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.