{"id":1908644,"date":"2026-04-29T09:40:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T06:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1908644"},"modified":"2026-04-29T09:40:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T06:40:17","slug":"christopher-nolan-confirms-the-odyssey-runtime-is-shorter-than-oppenheimer-but-its-still-an-epic-film-as-the-subject-matter-demands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1908644","title":{"rendered":"Christopher Nolan Confirms The Odyssey Runtime Is Shorter Than Oppenheimer, but It&#8217;s Still &#8216;An Epic Film, as the Subject Matter Demands&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-28683165 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Christopher Nolan has confirmed his upcoming movie <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/movies\/the-odyssey-2026\">The Odyssey<\/a> is shorter than his previous film, Oppenheimer, but insisted \u201cit\u2019s an epic film, as the subject matter demands.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">2023 biopic Oppenheimer came in at a whopping three hours (three hours is the longest Nolan and his team have been able to squeeze onto an IMAX film projector). The Odyssey will have a shorter runtime, Nolan told <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/summer-movies-2026-associated-press-highlights-36eb489825e809e5b9e5ee75efeaa18b\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Associated Press<\/a>, but we still don\u2019t know exactly how long it is.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Odyssey is described as \u201ca mythic action epic,\u201d and was shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. It features Matt Damon&#8217;s Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, who goes on a journey to return home after years of war.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Odyssey Cast and Characters: Who&#8217;s Confirmed for the Christopher Nolan Film?<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Matt Damon as Odysseus\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nMatt Damon is set to star in Nolan\u2019s adaptation of The Odyssey, playing Odysseus himself. Damon\u2019s name was the first to appear when word of this project surfaced, and his appearance in The Odyssey will mark the third time the Academy Award-winning actor has worked with Nolan following Interstellar and Oppenheimer.\u00a0\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tom Holland as Telemachus\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nTom Holland, Spider-Man himself, has joined the cast of The Odyssey, and People reported that he\u2019ll be playing Odysseus\u2019 son Telemachus. This appears to have been confirmed with the teaser trailer. Along with playing Spider-Man in the MCU, Holland has also been seen in Uncharted, Last Call, Cherry, Onward, and more.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 13 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Zendaya\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nZendaya, who also appeared in the Spider-Man films as MJ and is engaged to Tom Holland, will appear in The Odyssey in an as-yet-announced role. There is the potential for something pretty meta to happen in the Odyssey if she ends up playing Athena, as there are moments in Homer\u2019s epic where the character is disguised as Telemachus, who Holland is seemingly playing. Zendaya has also appeared in the Dune films, Euphoria, Challengers, The Greatest Showman, and more.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Robert Pattinson\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nRobert Pattinson, who starred alongside John David Washington in Nolan\u2019s Tenet, has joined this cast and will add this film to his ever-growing resume that includes The Batman, Mickey 17, Twilight, The Boy and the Heron, and more.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lupita Nyong\u2019o as Helen of Troy (Potentially)\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nAcademy Award winner Lupita Nyong\u2019o of Black Panther, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 12 Years a Slave, and Us fame has joined the cast of The Odyssey in an undisclosed role.\u00a0The first teaser trailer appears to confirm Nyong'o will play Helen of Troy.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Anne Hathaway\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nAcademy Award winner Anne Hathaway is another member of this cast who has worked with Nolan more than once, as she starred in both The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar. Hathaway has previously appeared in Les Mis\u00e9rables, The Devil Wears Prada, Ocean's 8, The Princess Diaries, and much more.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The trailers released so far show off Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus&#8217;s son who is determined to find his father, a concerned Anne Hathaway as Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, and Menelaus, the Greek king of Sparta and Agamemnon&#8217;s brother, played by Punisher actor Jon Bernthal. Scenes include Odysseus infiltrating the city of Troy using the legendary Trojan Horse, the Cyclops, who enters a cave filled with soldiers, and the undead rising from the ground itself.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Odyssey\u2019s runtime has been a talking point because of the sheer amount of story beats in the source material. Most believe Nolan will have to leave out significant chunks of Homer\u2019s saga, although his movies often shoot along at a fast pace.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cIt\u2019s an epic film, as the subject matter demands,\u201d Nolan insisted. \u201cBut it is shorter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Nolan spoke openly about the pressure he is under to deliver, and acknowledged fans want \u201ca strong and sincere interpretation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cThere\u2019s a massive amount of pressure,\u201d Nolan said. \u201cAnyone taking on The Odyssey is taking on the hopes and dreams of people for epic movies everywhere and that comes with a huge responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Biggest Movies Coming in 2026<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"2026 is here, so let's look at what Hollywood's got in store for us over the next 12 months, ranging from horror and sci-fi to superheroes and fantasy to whatever Disney and Pixar have planned. &lt;p&gt;\n\nCheck out the movies we can't wait to catch in 2026!\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Greenland 2: Migration&lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 9, 2026&lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nThe Greenland gang is back, baby! Well, most of them, anyhow, as Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin return to the bleak, ruined Earth -- which suffered global catastrophes in the first movie -- to trek across Europe five years later in search of a new safe haven for their family. The cast of Greenland 2: Migration includes Amber Rose Revah (The Punisher), William Abadie (Emily in Paris), and Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit), who now plays their son Nathan.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 54 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Primate&lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 9, 2026&lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nA family's adopted chimpanzee suddenly becomes violent due to being bitten by a rabid animal in Primate, a murderous monkey (okay, ape) movie that was all the rage at 2025's Fantastic Fest. So get ready for the most bananas movie since 1990's Shakma. \n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;28 Years Later: The Bone Temple &lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 16, 2026 &lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nFilmed back-to-back with 28 Years Later, but directed by Nia DaCosta in place of Danny Boyle, The Bone Temple will continue the story of Ralph Fiennes's Dr. Kelson while also diving into the big Jack O'Connell &quot;Jimmy&quot; cliffhanger, featuring Spike (Alfie Williams) meeting the cult leader and his blonde, track-suited, karate squad. If you didn't see 28 Years Later then that part probably sounded very weird. Anyhow, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is back too, as well as (finally!) Cillian Murphy's Jim.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Mercy&lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 23, 2026&lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nChris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson star in Mercy, a dystopian thriller about a detective who has 90 minutes to prove to an AI judge that he's innocent of murdering his wife. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov of Night Watch, Wanted, and, um... also that Ice Cube War of the Worlds movie fame.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Return to Silent Hill&lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 23, 2026&lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nWriter\/director Christophe Gans (Brotherhood of the Wolf, Silent Hill) is back to helm Return to Silent Hill, based on Konami's Silent Hill 2. Jeremy Irvine plays protagonist James Sunderland while Evie Templeton, who played Laura in the Silent Hill 2 game remake, reprises that role. Do you dare return to the psychological torment of this small town nightmare?\n\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Nolan added that had come away from his The Dark Knight Trilogy with an understanding of what people want from a film such as The Odyssey.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cWhat I learned from that experience is that what people want from a movie about a beloved story, a beloved set of characters, is they want a strong and sincere interpretation,\u201d Nolan explained. \u201cThey want to know that a filmmaker has gone to the mat for it. I really tried to make the best film possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In December last year, following the release of <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/debut-trailer-for-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey-reveals-first-look-at-tom-holland-anne-hathaway-and-more\"><u>the debut trailer for The Odyssey<\/u><\/a>, age-old debates about \u201chistorical accuracy\u201d reemerged. <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/had-no-idea-ancient-greeks-used-batman-helmets-debut-trailer-for-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey-reignites-historical-accuracy-debate\">Nolan\u2019s film has faced questions about its historical accuracy<\/a> \u2014 or inaccuracy, as some have put it \u2014 ever since it was revealed with a single image of Damon as Odysseus.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/i-wouldve-been-miserable-20-years-ago-trying-to-do-that-job-matt-damon-says-hes-still-kind-of-unpacking-the-profound-effect-filming-the-odyssey-had-on-him\"><u>Damon himself has discussed how tough it was filming The Odyssey<\/u><\/a>, which he said had a \u201cprofound\u201d effect on him. \u201cIf I look objectively at what was required to do that job, I think it came at just the right time in my life,\u201d he revealed. \u201cI think I would&#8217;ve been miserable 20 years ago trying to do that job. Because you were uncomfortable every day, but I really enjoyed\u2026 like, deeply enjoyed every minute of it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/matt-damon-had-a-beard-for-a-year-and-slimmed-down-to-his-high-school-body-weight-for-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey\"><u>Damon has spoken about having to slim down to his high school weight for the role<\/u><\/a>. &#8220;I had a beard like yours for like a year,&#8221; he told Jason and Travis Kelce on a recent episode of their podcast, <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/offseason-plans-wildcard-preview-matt-damon-on-brady\/id1643745036?i=1000744097588\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>New Heights<\/u><\/a>. &#8220;I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. [Nolan] wanted me lean but strong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Odyssey hits theaters on July 17, 2026.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Christopher Nolan has confirmed his upcoming movie <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/movies\/the-odyssey-2026\">The Odyssey<\/a> is shorter than his previous film, Oppenheimer, but insisted \u201cit\u2019s an epic film, as the subject matter demands.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">2023 biopic Oppenheimer came in at a whopping three hours (three hours is the longest Nolan and his team have been able to squeeze onto an IMAX film projector). The Odyssey will have a shorter runtime, Nolan told <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/summer-movies-2026-associated-press-highlights-36eb489825e809e5b9e5ee75efeaa18b\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Associated Press<\/a>, but we still don\u2019t know exactly how long it is.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Odyssey is described as \u201ca mythic action epic,\u201d and was shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. It features Matt Damon&#8217;s Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, who goes on a journey to return home after years of war.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Odyssey Cast and Characters: Who&#8217;s Confirmed for the Christopher Nolan Film?<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Matt Damon as Odysseus\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nMatt Damon is set to star in Nolan\u2019s adaptation of The Odyssey, playing Odysseus himself. Damon\u2019s name was the first to appear when word of this project surfaced, and his appearance in The Odyssey will mark the third time the Academy Award-winning actor has worked with Nolan following Interstellar and Oppenheimer.\u00a0\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tom Holland as Telemachus\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nTom Holland, Spider-Man himself, has joined the cast of The Odyssey, and People reported that he\u2019ll be playing Odysseus\u2019 son Telemachus. This appears to have been confirmed with the teaser trailer. Along with playing Spider-Man in the MCU, Holland has also been seen in Uncharted, Last Call, Cherry, Onward, and more.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 13 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Zendaya\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nZendaya, who also appeared in the Spider-Man films as MJ and is engaged to Tom Holland, will appear in The Odyssey in an as-yet-announced role. There is the potential for something pretty meta to happen in the Odyssey if she ends up playing Athena, as there are moments in Homer\u2019s epic where the character is disguised as Telemachus, who Holland is seemingly playing. Zendaya has also appeared in the Dune films, Euphoria, Challengers, The Greatest Showman, and more.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Robert Pattinson\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nRobert Pattinson, who starred alongside John David Washington in Nolan\u2019s Tenet, has joined this cast and will add this film to his ever-growing resume that includes The Batman, Mickey 17, Twilight, The Boy and the Heron, and more.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lupita Nyong\u2019o as Helen of Troy (Potentially)\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nAcademy Award winner Lupita Nyong\u2019o of Black Panther, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 12 Years a Slave, and Us fame has joined the cast of The Odyssey in an undisclosed role.\u00a0The first teaser trailer appears to confirm Nyong'o will play Helen of Troy.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Anne Hathaway\n&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nAcademy Award winner Anne Hathaway is another member of this cast who has worked with Nolan more than once, as she starred in both The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar. Hathaway has previously appeared in Les Mis\u00e9rables, The Devil Wears Prada, Ocean's 8, The Princess Diaries, and much more.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The trailers released so far show off Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus&#8217;s son who is determined to find his father, a concerned Anne Hathaway as Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, and Menelaus, the Greek king of Sparta and Agamemnon&#8217;s brother, played by Punisher actor Jon Bernthal. Scenes include Odysseus infiltrating the city of Troy using the legendary Trojan Horse, the Cyclops, who enters a cave filled with soldiers, and the undead rising from the ground itself.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Odyssey\u2019s runtime has been a talking point because of the sheer amount of story beats in the source material. Most believe Nolan will have to leave out significant chunks of Homer\u2019s saga, although his movies often shoot along at a fast pace.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cIt\u2019s an epic film, as the subject matter demands,\u201d Nolan insisted. \u201cBut it is shorter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Nolan spoke openly about the pressure he is under to deliver, and acknowledged fans want \u201ca strong and sincere interpretation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cThere\u2019s a massive amount of pressure,\u201d Nolan said. \u201cAnyone taking on The Odyssey is taking on the hopes and dreams of people for epic movies everywhere and that comes with a huge responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Biggest Movies Coming in 2026<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"2026 is here, so let's look at what Hollywood's got in store for us over the next 12 months, ranging from horror and sci-fi to superheroes and fantasy to whatever Disney and Pixar have planned. &lt;p&gt;\n\nCheck out the movies we can't wait to catch in 2026!\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Greenland 2: Migration&lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 9, 2026&lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nThe Greenland gang is back, baby! Well, most of them, anyhow, as Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin return to the bleak, ruined Earth -- which suffered global catastrophes in the first movie -- to trek across Europe five years later in search of a new safe haven for their family. The cast of Greenland 2: Migration includes Amber Rose Revah (The Punisher), William Abadie (Emily in Paris), and Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit), who now plays their son Nathan.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 54 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Primate&lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 9, 2026&lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nA family's adopted chimpanzee suddenly becomes violent due to being bitten by a rabid animal in Primate, a murderous monkey (okay, ape) movie that was all the rage at 2025's Fantastic Fest. So get ready for the most bananas movie since 1990's Shakma. \n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;28 Years Later: The Bone Temple &lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 16, 2026 &lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nFilmed back-to-back with 28 Years Later, but directed by Nia DaCosta in place of Danny Boyle, The Bone Temple will continue the story of Ralph Fiennes's Dr. Kelson while also diving into the big Jack O'Connell &quot;Jimmy&quot; cliffhanger, featuring Spike (Alfie Williams) meeting the cult leader and his blonde, track-suited, karate squad. If you didn't see 28 Years Later then that part probably sounded very weird. Anyhow, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is back too, as well as (finally!) Cillian Murphy's Jim.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Mercy&lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 23, 2026&lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nChris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson star in Mercy, a dystopian thriller about a detective who has 90 minutes to prove to an AI judge that he's innocent of murdering his wife. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov of Night Watch, Wanted, and, um... also that Ice Cube War of the Worlds movie fame.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Return to Silent Hill&lt;br&gt;\nRelease Date: January 23, 2026&lt;p&gt;&lt;\/b&gt;\n\nWriter\/director Christophe Gans (Brotherhood of the Wolf, Silent Hill) is back to helm Return to Silent Hill, based on Konami's Silent Hill 2. Jeremy Irvine plays protagonist James Sunderland while Evie Templeton, who played Laura in the Silent Hill 2 game remake, reprises that role. Do you dare return to the psychological torment of this small town nightmare?\n\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Nolan added that had come away from his The Dark Knight Trilogy with an understanding of what people want from a film such as The Odyssey.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cWhat I learned from that experience is that what people want from a movie about a beloved story, a beloved set of characters, is they want a strong and sincere interpretation,\u201d Nolan explained. \u201cThey want to know that a filmmaker has gone to the mat for it. I really tried to make the best film possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In December last year, following the release of <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/debut-trailer-for-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey-reveals-first-look-at-tom-holland-anne-hathaway-and-more\"><u>the debut trailer for The Odyssey<\/u><\/a>, age-old debates about \u201chistorical accuracy\u201d reemerged. <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/had-no-idea-ancient-greeks-used-batman-helmets-debut-trailer-for-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey-reignites-historical-accuracy-debate\">Nolan\u2019s film has faced questions about its historical accuracy<\/a> \u2014 or inaccuracy, as some have put it \u2014 ever since it was revealed with a single image of Damon as Odysseus.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/i-wouldve-been-miserable-20-years-ago-trying-to-do-that-job-matt-damon-says-hes-still-kind-of-unpacking-the-profound-effect-filming-the-odyssey-had-on-him\"><u>Damon himself has discussed how tough it was filming The Odyssey<\/u><\/a>, which he said had a \u201cprofound\u201d effect on him. \u201cIf I look objectively at what was required to do that job, I think it came at just the right time in my life,\u201d he revealed. \u201cI think I would&#8217;ve been miserable 20 years ago trying to do that job. Because you were uncomfortable every day, but I really enjoyed\u2026 like, deeply enjoyed every minute of it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/matt-damon-had-a-beard-for-a-year-and-slimmed-down-to-his-high-school-body-weight-for-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey\"><u>Damon has spoken about having to slim down to his high school weight for the role<\/u><\/a>. &#8220;I had a beard like yours for like a year,&#8221; he told Jason and Travis Kelce on a recent episode of their podcast, <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/offseason-plans-wildcard-preview-matt-damon-on-brady\/id1643745036?i=1000744097588\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>New Heights<\/u><\/a>. &#8220;I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. [Nolan] wanted me lean but strong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Odyssey hits theaters on July 17, 2026.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Christopher Nolan has confirmed his upcoming movie The Odyssey is shorter than his previous film, Oppenheimer, but insisted \u201cit\u2019s an epic film, as the subject matter demands.\u201d 2023 biopic Oppenheimer came in at a whopping three hours (three hours is the longest Nolan and his team have been able to squeeze onto an IMAX film [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-1908644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1908644","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1908644"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1908644\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1908644"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1908644"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1908644"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}