Christopher Nolan has completed principal photography for his ambitious adaptation of The Odyssey, following a six-month global shoot. The $250 million project features an ensemble cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus and Tom Holland as his son, Telemachus. Filming began in February 2025 and spanned locations including Italy, Greece, Morocco, Iceland, Scotland, and Western Sahara, concluding in Los Angeles.
A Mythical Journey Reimagined
Based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic, the film reimagines Odysseus’ perilous 10-year journey home after the Trojan War. Set in the 8th century BC, it weaves mythological encounters with emotional depth, as Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and Telemachus await his return in Ithaca.
The cast also includes Zendaya as Athena, Lupita Nyong’o as Calypso, Robert Pattinson as Hermes, and Charlize Theron as Circe. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema returns to collaborate with Nolan, using cutting-edge IMAX cameras to capture the film’s scale and beauty.
IMAX Tickets Sell Out Instantly
Early anticipation is sky-high. IMAX 70mm tickets sold out within 24 hours, with resale prices exceeding $1,000 per pair at top locations like AMC Lincoln Square in New York. The film is set to release in theatres and IMAX on July 17, 2026.
Also Read: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Faces Backlash: What’s the Real Reason Behind the Controversy?
Controversy Over Western Sahara Filming
However, the production has drawn backlash for filming in Western Sahara, a disputed territory largely controlled by Morocco. Activists and human rights groups condemned the shoot in Dakhla, citing the region’s ongoing occupation and repression of the Sahrawi people.
FiSahara, a film festival based in Sahrawi refugee camps, called the production’s presence “a form of complicity” and urged Nolan to withdraw. Critics argue the filming inadvertently supports Morocco’s claims over the territory and silences Indigenous voices.
