Universal Pictures has released a powerful new trailer for Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited big-screen take on Homer’s The Odyssey. The footage arrives as one of the most anticipated previews of the year, building massive hype for the director’s return to mythic storytelling. Early reviews of the trailer praise its sweeping scope and intense performances, positioning the film as a potential summer blockbuster event.
The new trailer debuted in Monday night's episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, where host Stephen Colbert introduced the footage to an enthusiastic studio audience that erupted in applause. The preview offers striking glimpses of Matt Damon as Odysseus locked in brutal combat with a towering Cyclops and Robert Pattinson as the ruthless Antinous exuding cold ambition. Additional shots hint at vast oceanic voyages and divine encounters that capture the epic’s legendary scale. Clips from the segment rapidly circulated online, quickly becoming a trending topic and amplifying excitement for the July release. The strategic late-night debut effectively targets both dedicated film fans and broader mainstream viewers.
In addition to Damon starring as the central wandering protagonist, the ambitious production features Anne Hathaway portraying Odysseus’ loyal wife Penelope, Tom Holland as their son Telemachus, Pattinson as the ambitious Ithacan suitor Antinous, Zendaya embodying the goddess of wisdom Athena, and Charlize Theron as the powerful goddess of witchcraft Circe. The expansive ensemble further includes Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, Will Yun Lee, Mia Goth, Jimmy Gonzales, Elliot Page, and Jovan Adepo, along with dozens of additional performers bringing to life a wide array of figures drawn from the foundational poem.
Watch the new trailer for Nolan's The Odyssey here:
This marks Nolan’s 13th feature as a director. He crafted the screenplay drawing directly from the timeless ancient text and took on producing duties with longtime collaborator Emma Thomas through their banner Syncopy, with Universal Pictures handling worldwide distribution. Following the massive success of their previous collaboration Oppenheimer, which earned nearly $960 million at the global box office and secured seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, expectations are sky-high for Nolan’s return to large-scale filmmaking. That earlier project demonstrated his ability to blend historical depth with blockbuster spectacle, a skill set that appears perfectly suited to this mythic narrative filled with gods, monsters, and human drama.
Nolan’s signature commitment to practical effects and groundbreaking technical achievements is once again on full display. The Odyssey is set to make cinematic history as the first narrative feature filmed entirely on IMAX cameras. In a major promotional move, tickets for select 70mm screenings went on sale a full year early in July 2025. This ambitious strategy highlights the studio’s tremendous confidence in the project and builds on Nolan’s longstanding commitment to premium large-format filmmaking for an unparalleled big-screen experience.
The Odyssey is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026. It will open in theaters alongside another major tentpole, setting up a competitive summer showdown. With its all-star cast, pioneering cinematography, and Nolan’s visionary direction, the film stands as one of the year’s most ambitious cinematic events. Early indications suggest it will deliver a sweeping adventure that honors the source material while providing modern spectacle on an enormous scale.
