Christopher Nolan is reuniting with Benny Safdie for his upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, marking their second collaboration after Oppenheimer. Reports confirm that Safdie has joined the ensemble cast of the highly anticipated Universal film, which already boasts a star-studded lineup including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron.
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.
Safdie, known for his work both in front of and behind the camera, recently wrapped filming on Happy Gilmore 2, where he stars alongside Adam Sandler. Later this year, his solo directorial debut, The Smashing Machine—a biopic about MMA fighter Mark Kerr starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt—will be released by A24.
Though widely recognised for co-directing films with his brother, Safdie has steadily built his acting career with performances in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Claire Denis’ Palme d’Or-nominated The Stars at Noon, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza.