Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Bill Irwin, and Samantha Morton become the latest to join the cast of Christopher Nolan's next, The Odyssey. They round out the cast along with Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, and John Leguizamo.
While Patel previously worked with Nolan in Tenet (2020), Page previously collaborated with the filmmaker in Inception (2010).
Last month, Universal officially announced that Nolan’s next project would be a cinematic retelling of Homer’s legendary epic, composed in the 8th century BCE.
Homer’s ancient Greek epic recounts the adventures of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, as he faces numerous dangers on his long voyage home following the Trojan War. The story delves into themes of bravery, devotion, cleverness, and defiance of the gods. Memorable moments include his clashes with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the enchanting Sirens, and the sorceress Circe, ultimately leading to his long-awaited return to his wife, Penelope.
The Odyssey is reportedly scheduled to go on floors in early 2025. Nolan will direct and write the screenplay, with his wife, Emma Thomas, producing under their Syncopy banner.
The film comes from Universal Studios, which also backed Nolan's Oppenheimer. The director's partnership with the production house began following his highly publicised departure from Warner Bros. in 2020. Unlike Oppenheimer, which Universal acquired through an open auction, Nolan's upcoming project has been secured directly by the studio, according to reports.
Nolan is no stranger to historical narratives, having recently won Best Picture and Best Director for Oppenheimer, his riveting account of J Robert Oppenheimer and the birth of the atomic bomb. He also explored period storytelling with The Prestige, which chronicled the rivalry between magicians in Victorian London.
However, The Odyssey marks new territory for Nolan, plunging him into a realm of myth, gods, and fantastical creatures. While ancient epics have yet to feature in his filmography, Nolan has consistently infused his work with imaginative elements—grounding superheroes in realism with The Dark Knight trilogy, exploring dreamscapes in Inception, and venturing into space with Interstellar.