Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film for Universal, titled “The Odyssey,” is an adaptation of the epic poem by Homer, composed around the 8th century BCE, the studio has announced.
“Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, is a mythic action epic filmed across the globe using brand new IMAX film technology,” the studio revealed in a message posted on X on Monday. “The movie brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and will premiere in theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026.”
The ancient Greek poem is a cornerstone of Western literature, recounting the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his arduous journey home following the Trojan War. The narrative delves into themes of heroism, loyalty, cunning, and the struggle against divine intervention. It features iconic episodes such as Odysseus’s encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the enchantress Circe, ultimately leading to his reunion with his wife, Penelope.
While this would be a notable adaptation of the text, the poem has previously inspired numerous other works, including the 1954 Italian film “Ulysses,” directed by Mario Camerini and starring Kirk Douglas, and the 1997 miniseries “The Odyssey,” directed by Andrei Konchalovsky and starring Armand Assante. Currently, Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche portray Odysseus and Penelope in Uberto Pasolini’s “The Return,” which was released by Bleecker Street earlier this month following its premiere at TIFF. Additionally, the poem has influenced James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” Margaret Atwood’s “The Penelopiad,” Theo Angelopoulos’s “Ulysses’ Gaze,” “Cold Mountain” (both the novel and film), The Coen Brothers’ “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “Star Trek: Odyssey.”
As previously announced, Nolan’s latest film will feature an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. Contrary to earlier speculations about the film’s subject matter ranging from vampires to helicopter pilots, the filmmaker has chosen a different narrative direction.
Titled “The Odyssey,” the film is scheduled to begin production early next year. This will be Nolan’s second project with Universal, following his Best Picture winner “Oppenheimer.” The 2026 release date aligns with Nolan’s typical release window, similar to his historical drama starring Cillian Murphy.