Christopher Nolan has unveiled the first trailer for The Odyssey, offering a glimpse at what may become the largest and most daring project of his career. Venturing far from his usual modern settings, the filmmaker embraces Greek mythology while maintaining his signature style: grand imagery, a serious tone, and a cinematic experience designed for the biggest screens possible.
The trailer follows the recent IMAX-only release of a six-minute prologue shot on 70mm film and opens in the aftermath of the Trojan War. Amid a ravaged battlefield, Odysseus—played by Matt Damon—kneels before a fully armored Agamemnon, portrayed by Benny Safdie. The scene has already sparked discussion, with some observers noting that historical accuracy may take a back seat to visual power and dramatic impact, a familiar choice in Nolan’s work.
Classic elements from Homer’s epic dominate the preview: perilous sea voyages, journeys through dark caves, and marches across untamed landscapes. A restrained voice-over from Odysseus reflects on the long road home after years of war, while the hero himself appears sparingly on screen, enhancing his almost mythical presence.
One of the trailer’s most striking moments is the depiction of the Trojan Horse as an enormous structure hauled from the sea by unsuspecting Trojans, including shots from inside the massive construction. The footage also hints at legendary threats, such as a towering figure that may be the Cyclops Polyphemus, alongside scenes of ships battling real ocean waves, emphasizing Nolan’s preference for practical filmmaking over digital effects.
A Technical and Physical Filmmaking Milestone
The Odyssey makes history as the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX cameras. To achieve this, IMAX developed a new generation of equipment that is significantly lighter and quieter, overcoming long-standing technical limitations. Nolan has pursued this goal for years, ever since he began incorporating IMAX sequences into his films with The Dark Knight.
Principal photography took place over 91 days between February and August 2025, spanning locations in Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, and Iceland. The most demanding aspect of production involved four months of filming at sea, with cast and crew exposed to real conditions. With a reported budget of $250 million, the film stands as the most expensive project Nolan has ever undertaken.
Nolan has explained that his motivation was to address what he sees as a gap in contemporary cinema. In his view, Greek mythology has never received a truly large-scale Hollywood adaptation with full dramatic credibility. He describes The Odyssey as a foundation of storytelling itself—blending adventure, horror, romance, and mystery rather than fitting neatly into a single genre.
While the trailer largely focuses on physical realism and spectacle, iconic mythological figures such as Circe and the Sirens remain unseen for now, likely reserved for later reveals. Combined with a star-studded cast that includes Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Lupita Nyong’o, Nolan’s Odyssey is only just beginning its journey.
