The Odyssey (2026 film)

Wilson calls purist criticism of the adaptation muddle-headed, noting the Homeric poems were already adapted for performance in antiquity.

“I mean, I think it's pretty muddle-headed, really. Already in antiquity, the Homeric poems were adapted for performance”

The Daily: What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything. (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 43:08

Wilson says Matt Damon would not have been her first pick for Odysseus but expects him to do well.

“I don't think he was Christopher Nolan's first pick. He wouldn't have been my first pick, but I think he'll do a great job”

The Daily: What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything. (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 42:08

Wilson predicts some moviegoers will go back to the original poem after seeing the film and welcomes that.

“some proportion of the people who go to the movie will then turn back to the original poem, which I think is great”

The Daily: What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything. (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 41:28

Fennessey said Tom Holland's performance as Telemachus was the weakest part of the film for him.

“least effective part of the movie for me”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Messi Takes England Out of the World Cup, Plus Preparing for Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' With Ian Wright, Anthony Dabbundo, and Sean Fennessey (Jul 16, 2026) · Listen from 1:34:40

Fennessey agreed that Nolan is the definitive filmmaker of the century and said this is no longer controversial.

“Yes, and I don't even think it's controversial anymore”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Messi Takes England Out of the World Cup, Plus Preparing for Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' With Ian Wright, Anthony Dabbundo, and Sean Fennessey (Jul 16, 2026) · Listen from 1:03:49

Holland says it will be interesting to see whether Nolan's film includes the hanging of the servant girls.

“it's genuinely interesting to see whether the slaughter of the servant girls is included”

The Rest Is History: 688. The Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2) (Jul 15, 2026) · Listen from 56:49

Holland says he has never seen anyone work as hard as Matt Damon did on The Odyssey.

“I have never seen anyone work as hard as Matt did on that film”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Tom Holland (Jun 2, 2026) · Listen from 34:38

Sandbrook argues that the Odyssey's nested stories and flashbacks explain its appeal to a filmmaker.

“there's loads of stories within stories, aren't there, in the Odyssey? That's how it works. So you can see what would appeal to a filmmaker”

The Rest Is History: 688. The Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2) (Jul 15, 2026) · Listen from 27:39

Sandbrook states that Christopher Nolan's film of The Odyssey was due for release on 17 July.

“Christopher Nolan, by an extraordinary coincidence, has made a film of The Odyssey that is coming out later this week”

The Rest Is History: 687. The Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1) (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 5:01

Nolan said he cast Damon because he combines empathetic openness with an iconic, superhero-like presence.

“He brings the audience with him. But he also can project an iconic, frankly, superhero presence”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Matt Damon (Jul 7, 2026) · Listen from 5:09

Nolan argued that filmmakers cannot compete with audiences' own imaginings of a classic text and must offer a sincere personal interpretation.

“You have to trust that what people want from you is your most sincere attempt to do justice to the material”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Matt Damon (Jul 7, 2026) · Listen from 3:33

Ryan predicted The Odyssey would probably gross a billion dollars and be the year's biggest film.

“this movie's going to make a billion dollars probably and be the biggest film of the year probably”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Messi Takes England Out of the World Cup, Plus Preparing for Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' With Ian Wright, Anthony Dabbundo, and Sean Fennessey (Jul 16, 2026) · Listen from 1:11:33

Miller says she expects to want more of the women's stories in any Odyssey adaptation, as they usually function only to help or obstruct.

“so many of the women are just kept as these sort of mysterious figures who come in and help or obstruct”

The Daily: What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything. (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 48:46

Damon described Nolan as an underrated writer whose directing overshadows his screenwriting.

“He's a really underrated writer, I think, Chris, because he's such a brilliant director that it kind of overshadows his writing”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Matt Damon (Jul 7, 2026) · Listen from 16:24