Christopher Nolan's Most Star-Studded Cast Yet Is Finally Coming to Theaters
Christopher Nolan's most ambitious film yet is finally almost here. The Odyssey, his IMAX-shot adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic, premiered in London this week ahead of its wide theatrical release on July 17 — and the buzz is already enormous.
The film reunites Nolan with one of the starriest ensembles of his career, led by Matt Damon as the legendary king of Ithaca himself. But with more than a dozen major names attached and Greek mythology's dense cast of gods, monsters, and mortals to keep straight, it's easy to lose track of who's actually playing who.
Here's your complete, spoiler-light guide to the cast of The Odyssey and the characters they bring to life.
The Story, Briefly
The Odyssey follows Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, on his long and dangerous voyage home after the Trojan War — a journey filled with monsters, gods, and temptations that keeps him from his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, for years. The film is Nolan's first project since his Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, and according to Hollywood Life, it's reportedly the most expensive production of his career, shot entirely on IMAX film cameras across locations in Italy, Iceland, Greece, Morocco, and Scotland.
Who Plays Who in 'The Odyssey'
Matt Damon as Odysseus
Damon leads the film as Odysseus, the cunning Greek king trying to make his way home after a decade of war. Nolan has described the character as a brilliant strategist with a complicated, sometimes ruthless streak.
Anne Hathaway as Penelope
Hathaway plays Penelope, Odysseus's devoted wife, who waits in Ithaca while fending off suitors convinced her husband is dead.
Tom Holland as Telemachus
Holland takes on Telemachus, Odysseus and Penelope's son, who comes of age during his father's long absence and sets out on his own journey to find him.
Zendaya as Athena
Zendaya plays Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war who repeatedly intervenes to help guide Odysseus and his family.
Charlize Theron as Circe
Theron portrays Circe, the powerful sorceress goddess whose island becomes one of the most pivotal stops on Odysseus's journey.
Robert Pattinson as Antinous
Pattinson plays Antinous, one of the most aggressive suitors vying for Penelope's hand back in Ithaca.
Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy / Clytemnestra
Nyong'o takes on a dual role, playing both Helen of Troy, whose abduction sparked the Trojan War, and Clytemnestra.
Mia Goth as Melantho
Goth plays Melantho, a servant in Odysseus's household entangled in the political tension building in Ithaca.
Jon Bernthal as Menelaus
Bernthal portrays Menelaus, the King of Sparta and Helen's husband, whose war against Troy sets the entire saga in motion.
John Leguizamo as Eumaeus
Leguizamo plays Eumaeus, Odysseus's loyal swineherd, one of the few people in Ithaca who remains faithful to him.
Elliot Page as Sinon
Page plays Sinon, the Greek soldier whose deception plays a key role in the fall of Troy.
Benny Safdie as Agamemnon
Safdie portrays Agamemnon, the commander of the Greek forces during the Trojan War.
Samantha Morton, Himesh Patel, and Bill Irwin round out the ensemble in additional key roles, alongside a widely discussed appearance from rapper Travis Scott, who plays a bard in the film — a casting choice Nolan has said was meant to draw a link between hip-hop and the oral poetry tradition that originally carried Homer's epic forward, according to Britannica.
For the complete, credited cast and crew list, Rotten Tomatoes has the full breakdown here.
Behind the Camera
Nolan wrote, directed, and produced the film through his and wife Emma Thomas's production company, Syncopy, in partnership with Universal Pictures. As NBC Insider reports, The Odyssey is notable as the first feature ever shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, and it will run in IMAX and other premium large formats for its opening weeks.
When and Where to Watch
The Odyssey opens in U.S. and U.K. theaters on July 17, 2026, with early preview showings beginning the evening of July 16. The film is rated R and runs 2 hours and 52 minutes. You can check local showtimes through AMC Theatres.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Odysseus in The Odyssey (2026)?
Matt Damon plays Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca and the film's central character.
When does The Odyssey come out?
The film opens in theaters on July 17, 2026, with preview showings starting the evening of July 16.
Who plays Athena in The Odyssey?
Zendaya plays Athena, the goddess of wisdom who helps guide Odysseus on his journey.
Is The Odyssey based on the original Homer text?
Yes. The film is Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic poem of the same name, though it remains to be seen how closely Nolan follows the poem's structure and events.
How long is The Odyssey?
The film runs 2 hours and 52 minutes and is rated R.
What role does Travis Scott play in the movie?
Travis Scott appears as a bard, a role Nolan has said was cast to connect hip-hop to the oral poetry tradition through which Homer's epic was originally passed down.
Sources
- Rotten Tomatoes — The Odyssey: Full Cast & Crew
- NBC Insider — Everything to Know About Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
- Britannica — The Odyssey (2026 film)
- Wikipedia — The Odyssey (2026 film)
- Hollywood Life — The Odyssey Movie: Cast, Release Date & Updates
- AMC Theatres — The Odyssey Showtimes & Tickets
Holly Watcher will update this guide with any additional casting details or first reactions as they're confirmed ahead of the July 17 release.
