Key facts
- Tom Holland stars as Telemachus in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film 'The Odyssey.'
- Holland described the role as his "last chance to play a boy" and a new chapter in his life.
- Zendaya portrays the goddess Athena, a role she accepted after Holland shared the script with her.
- Matt Damon plays Odysseus, accepting the lead role after a brief pitch from Nolan.
- Anne Hathaway stars as Penelope, Odysseus's wife and Telemachus's mother.
- The film was shot entirely on IMAX film, marking a first for a feature-length production.
Tom Holland, known for his role as Spider-Man, is set to star as Telemachus in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic, 'The Odyssey.' Holland, now 30, views this role as a significant new chapter in his career and a final opportunity to portray a youthful character. He shared that his wife, Zendaya, also stars in the film as the goddess Athena, a casting decision that came about after Holland shared the script with her.
Matt Damon takes on the role of Odysseus, accepting the part after Nolan's concise two-word pitch. Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, Odysseus's wife and Telemachus's mother, reflecting on the demanding nature of motherhood in ancient Greece. Nolan himself emphasized the film's exploration of masculinity and his dedication to practical filmmaking, including shooting the entire movie on IMAX film.
Despite the critical acclaim and commercial success of Nolan's previous film, 'Oppenheimer,' the director focused on creating something new, describing Homer's story as "popcorn stuff" that has endured due to its crowd-pleasing nature. The film's casting, particularly the portrayal of Helen of Troy by Lupita Nyong'o, drew criticism from Elon Musk on X, though others defended the mythological basis of the character.