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Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Sets Voyage, Rounds Up Cast With Elliot Page, Himesh Patel

Christopher Nolan continues assembling a star-studded cast for The Odyssey, his ambitious adaptation of Homer’s epic. Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Bill Irwin, and Samantha Morton now join an already impressive lineup featuring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, and Benny Safdie. Page reunites with Nolan after a standout role in Inception, while Patel previously appeared in Tenet and Irwin voiced TARS in Interstellar.

Universal remains tight-lipped about specific character roles, but has released the following statement: “Christopher Nolan’s next film The Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on 17 July 2026.”

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Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Sets Voyage, Rounds Up Cast With Elliot Page, Himesh Patel
Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Bill Irwin, and Samantha Morton

Homer’s classic tells the story of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, as he struggles to return home for 20 years after the Trojan War. His journey, filled with mythical creatures, divine intervention, and treacherous obstacles, has remained one of the most enduring stories in literature. The tale includes encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the enchantress Circe, all while Odysseus’ wife Penelope fends off suitors back in Ithaca. Whether Nolan chooses to embrace the supernatural elements or take a more grounded approach remains a mystery.

Nolan plans to shoot portions of the film in Sicily, an area long believed to be part of Odysseus’ legendary route. Production is expected to begin in two months on the island of Favignana, part of the Egadi archipelago off Sicily’s northwest coast. Scholars have pointed to this location as a possible inspiration for Odysseus’ stop to replenish supplies and roast goats with his crew. Additional filming is rumored to take place in Sicily’s Aeolian Islands, with confirmed locations also including the U.K. and Morocco.

Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Sets Voyage, Rounds Up Cast With Elliot Page, Himesh Patel

This isn’t the first attempt to bring The Odyssey to the big screen. The earliest film adaptation dates back to 1911, followed by Kirk Douglas’ 1954 Ulysses. More loosely inspired projects include the Coen Brothers’ O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Ralph Fiennes’ The Return. The story has also appeared in unexpected formats, from the 1980s anime Ulysses 31 to Jorge Rivera-Herrans’ viral musical EPIC.

Speculation surrounds how faithfully Nolan will adhere to the myth’s supernatural elements. Will gods and monsters appear, or will the film present a grounded take, as seen in his past work? But one thing’s for sure – with a stacked ensemble cast, a legendary source material, and a director known for pushing cinematic boundaries, The Odyssey is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious films in Nolan’s career.

The Odyssey opens in cinemas on 17 July 2026.