Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film 'The Odyssey' has released a new trailer, offering audiences a closer look at Matt Damon as Odysseus and his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. The Universal Pictures production is set to hit theaters on July 17.
Trailer Highlights Odysseus' Struggle
The clip depicts Odysseus striving to return to the Kingdom of Ithaca, where his wife, Penelope, portrayed by Anne Hathaway, and his son, Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, face mounting threats. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Pictures is backing the release, which the outlet describes as Nolan's 'hotly-anticipated epic.' The trailer follows the Greek hero through a 'long, torturous and fantastical trip home' as he endeavors to rescue his family and reclaim his rightful place in Ithaca.
Key Characters Introduced
The new footage unveils several pivotal characters. Robert Pattinson appears as Antinous, Penelope's 'sniveling suitor' who aspires to marry the queen and seize control of Ithaca. Charlize Theron plays the nymph Calypso, while John Leguizamo portrays Odysseus' servant Eumaeus. Jon Bernthal takes on the role of Menelaus, the Greek king of Sparta and brother of Agamemnon. The ensemble cast also includes Zendaya as the goddess Athena, Benny Safdie as Agamemnon, Himesh Patel as Eurylochus, Mia Goth as Melantho, Jimmy Gonzales as Cepheus, Lupita Nyong'o, and Will Yun Lee in undisclosed roles.
Nolan's Epic on IMAX
The trailer also provides the 'first proper look' at the Cyclops. Nolan's film adapts Homer's ancient Greek epic 'The Odyssey' and incorporates major mythological elements, including the sirens. Nolan shot the entire film on IMAX cameras, and the battle scenes in the trailer suggest a large-scale theatrical release aimed at premium screens.
Box Office Stakes
The film faces significant box-office pressure. Nolan boasts a strong commercial track record, but 'The Odyssey' is still described in the report as 'something of a gamble.' The ancient Greek source material may not be familiar to every general moviegoer, and the film's reported budget stands at USD 250 million, making it the most expensive film of Nolan's career. The trailer, however, focuses on Odysseus, his family, and the fight to return home.
