A look at “The Odyssey”: Christopher Nolan showcased a spectacular “Trojan Horse” scene at CinemaCon
According to the Cinema Drame News Agency, the film The Odyssey is on its way to release, and Universal Pictures is gradually revealing more details about the project, which appears to be a classic Hollywood sword-and-sandal epic. During the studio’s presentation at CinemaCon, held on April 14 in Las Vegas, new footage from Christopher Nolan’s latest film was shown to journalists and theater owners.
In the footage, a long sequence shows warriors inside the Trojan Horse, preparing to execute the famous ambush. The scene begins with Odysseus, played by Damon, asking Calypso how long he has been trapped on an island and stating that he remembers nothing from before the Trojan War—not even whether he had a wife or a child. Then Tom Holland appears as his son, sitting at a table with John Bernthal’s character. Bernthal asks him whether he has heard “the story of the horse,” but this time “from inside it.” The scene then shifts to hundreds of extras pulling the Trojan Horse from the sea toward the city of Troy.
Next, soldiers hidden inside the horse struggle to remain silent, finding it difficult even to breathe under the harsh conditions, while also trying to avoid being struck by Trojan swords. Ultimately, Odysseus, played by Damon, leads the forces for a surprise attack and opens the doors of the horse so the Greek army can spring into action.
Bernthal concludes by saying: “I think you know the rest.”
The Odyssey is based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic. Matt Damon stars as the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca. After the Trojan War, he embarks on a long journey to return home and reunite with his wife Penelope (played by Anne Hathaway) and his son Telemachus (Tom Holland). However, the journey proves far more dangerous and prolonged than expected, and Odysseus encounters numerous mythical monsters and deadly enemies along the way.
This film marks Nolan’s second collaboration with Universal Pictures, following his controversial split from Warner Bros. in 2020 over the release of Tenet. Prior to that, all of his first 11 films were released by Warner Bros. His first film with Universal, Oppenheimer (2023), about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb, was a massive success, earning $975.8 million and becoming one of the most critically acclaimed films of his career. It also won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
In addition to Damon, Hathaway, and Holland, The Odyssey features a large ensemble cast. Nolan joked during CinemaCon that it would be easier to list who is not in the film. Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, one of Penelope’s suitors. Zendaya appears as Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Charlize Theron plays Circe, the sorceress who challenges Odysseus during his journey.
There is also a large group of supporting or undisclosed roles, including Lupita Nyong’o, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, Will Yun Lee, Mia Goth, Elliot Page, Bill Irwin, Samantha Morton, Jesse Garcia, Rafi Gavron, Shiloh Fernandez, Corey Hawkins, Nick E. Tarabay, Maurice Compte, Michael Vlamis, Iddo Goldberg, Josh Stewart, Ryan Hurst, Jovan Adepo, Logan Marshall-Green, James Remar, and Travis Scott.
Nolan once again collaborates with his regular partners on this project, including cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema and composer Ludwig Göransson. Universal Pictures is set to release The Odyssey in theaters on July 17.
