The Odyssey' first look revealed
 

Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan is officially turning his lens toward ancient mythology. His next film, The Odyssey — a bold reimagining of Homer’s legendary epic — has just unveiled its first poster, along with an exclusive teaser trailer now playing only in cinemas alongside Jurassic World Rebirth.

The striking poster taps directly into the film’s mythic roots, featuring a fractured Greek sculpture wreathed in glowing embers, emblazoned with the words “Defy the Gods.” It also confirms the highly anticipated theatrical release date: 17 July 2026.

At the heart of Nolan’s mythological odyssey is Matt Damon, reuniting with the director to take on the role of Odysseus, the wily hero of Greek lore. The teaser — which remains unavailable online — reportedly shows Damon’s Odysseus lost at sea, with quick glimpses of Tom Holland as his son Telemachus and Jon Bernthal in an as-yet-undisclosed role.

This marks Nolan’s first foray into classical myth, a striking departure from the cerebral, grounded worlds of Oppenheimer, Inception, and Dunkirk. True to form, Nolan is preserving the big-screen experience by keeping the 70-second teaser exclusive to theatres for now. While leaked footage has surfaced on social media, Universal has yet to comment or announce when an official online release might drop.

Following the sweeping success of Oppenheimer — which scored seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director — Nolan’s The Odyssey promises to be his most ambitious project yet. With an estimated budget of £197 million (approximately ?2,080 crore), it’s his costliest film to date.

The film is produced by Nolan’s long-time collaborator and wife, Emma Thomas, and will be shot using cutting-edge IMAX technology. It also cements Nolan’s new partnership with Universal Pictures after his split from Warner Bros.

Backing Damon and Holland is a star-studded ensemble: Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, and John Leguizamo have all signed on to bring this mythic world to life.

With one of Hollywood’s most visionary directors at the helm, a powerhouse cast, and a timeless story about fate, defiance, and survival, The Odyssey is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated cinematic events of 2026.