Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Trailer Debuts on Colbert, Revealing Cyclops Battle and All-Star Cast

Key facts

• Trailer debuted on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ on Monday night.
• Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope.
• Robert Pattinson plays Antinous; Zendaya plays Athena; Charlize Theron plays Circe.
• Film shot exclusively with IMAX cameras, including a new quieter model.
• Principal photography ran from February to August 2024 across Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, and Universal backlot.
• ‘The Odyssey’ opens July 17, 2025, same day as ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’.
• Nolan’s 13th directorial feature; first narrative film shot entirely with IMAX cameras.
• Tickets for 70mm screenings released a year in advance in July 2025.

A Mythic Trailer Arrives on Late-Night Television

Christopher Nolan unveiled the second trailer for his forthcoming epic ‘The Odyssey’ on Monday night, appearing on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ to discuss his latest colossal undertaking. The trailer offers the most extensive look yet at the director’s adaptation of Homer’s ancient poem, featuring Matt Damon’s Odysseus battling the Cyclops and Robert Pattinson’s Antinous scheming to seize the throne of Ithaca. The footage, released by Universal Pictures, immediately sparked debate among fans and critics, with many praising the visual grandeur and the all-star ensemble. The trailer’s debut on a late-night talk show underscores Nolan’s strategy of blending prestige with broad audience appeal.

An All-Star Ensemble Brings Homer’s Characters to Life

The cast of ‘The Odyssey’ reads like a roll call of Hollywood’s most sought-after talent. Matt Damon leads as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca striving to return home after the Trojan War. Anne Hathaway plays his wife Penelope, and Tom Holland portrays their son Telemachus. Robert Pattinson takes on the role of the villainous suitor Antinous, while Zendaya appears as Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and Charlize Theron as Circe, the goddess of witchcraft. Additional cast members include Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, Will Yun Lee, Mia Goth, Jimmy Gonzales, Elliot Page, Jovan Adepo, and dozens more. The sheer scale of the ensemble reflects the epic’s vast narrative, which spans gods, monsters, and mortals.

Technical Mastery: IMAX Cameras and Global Locations

True to form, Nolan shot ‘The Odyssey’ exclusively with IMAX film cameras, including a lighter, quieter version that reduces the need for looping in post-production. The film is the first narrative feature to be shot entirely with IMAX cameras, a milestone that builds on Nolan’s history of pushing the format’s boundaries. Principal photography took place from February to August 2024 across six countries: Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, and the water tank on the Universal backlot. This global production mirrors Odysseus’s own far-flung journey, lending authenticity to the mythical landscapes.

From ‘Oppenheimer’ to Homer: Nolan’s Ambitious Follow-Up

‘The Odyssey’ marks Nolan’s first film since 2023’s ‘Oppenheimer,’ which grossed $958.8 million worldwide and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Nolan. The director wrote, directed, and produced ‘The Odyssey’ alongside Emma Thomas under their production company Syncopy. Thomas Hayslip served as executive producer. Key Nolan collaborators return for this project: cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, visual-effects supervisor Andrew Jackson, editor Jennifer Lame, and composer Ludwig Göransson. Their collective expertise promises a technically and artistically cohesive vision.

A Legacy of Adaptations and a Competitive Release Date

Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ has been adapted many times, from the 1954 Italian film starring Kirk Douglas to the 1981 French-Japanese animated series ‘Ulysses 31’ and the 1997 television miniseries co-produced by Hallmark and Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope, with creature effects by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Nolan’s version enters this lineage with the highest-profile cast and budget yet. ‘The Odyssey’ is set to open on July 17, 2025, the same day as Disney and Sony’s ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ echoing the ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon of 2023. The concurrent release promises a major box-office showdown, though Nolan’s film has already generated advance ticket sales for 70mm screenings, which went on sale a year ahead in July 2025.

What the Trailer Reveals: Action, Myth, and Emotional Stakes

The official synopsis describes ‘The Odyssey’ as a story where “fathers and sons, myth and legacy, are woven throughout.” The trailer emphasizes both the physical trials—Odysseus fighting the Cyclops—and the emotional core: his determination to return to Penelope and Telemachus. Robert Pattinson’s Antinous is shown as a menacing presence, threatening the stability of Ithaca. A promotional image released by Universal shows Nolan standing in the midst of a massive crowd, filming with an IMAX camera, a visual that underscores the epic scale of the production. The image, shared alongside other behind-the-scenes photos and stills of the cast, has been dubbed “Where’s Nolan?” by fans, highlighting the director’s hands-on approach.

The Stakes for Nolan and the Future of Epic Cinema

With ‘The Odyssey,’ Nolan is betting that audiences will embrace a $958.8 million-grossing director’s return to ancient myth. The film’s success could reaffirm the viability of large-scale, auteur-driven epics in a franchise-dominated market. Conversely, the same-day release with a Marvel-branded Spider-Man film poses a significant challenge. Yet Nolan’s track record—13 films, numerous awards, and a devoted fan base—suggests that ‘The Odyssey’ will be a cultural event regardless of its box office. The film’s technical innovations, including the all-IMAX shoot, may also set new standards for immersive storytelling. As the July 17 release approaches, the industry will be watching to see whether Nolan can once again redefine the blockbuster.

The bottom line

• Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ releases July 17, 2025, and is his first film since ‘Oppenheimer.’
• The trailer debuted on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ on Monday night, showing Matt Damon’s Odysseus fighting the Cyclops.
• The all-star cast includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron.
• The film is the first narrative feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras, using a new quieter model.
• Principal photography took place across six countries from February to August 2024.
• ‘The Odyssey’ will compete at the box office with ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ on its opening day.