The Odyssey Cast Guide: Who’s Playing Who in Christopher Nolan’s Epic
Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s Greek epic, “The Odyssey,” arrives in theaters on July 17. The film reimagines the classic tale of the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, and his treacherous journey home following the Trojan War. As the titular character, Matt Damon leads a massive ensemble cast of gods, monsters, and men.
The Central Figures of Ithaca
Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, a king attempting to return home to his wife and son after years of war. This role marks Damon’s third collaboration with Nolan, following “Interstellar” and “Oppenheimer.”
Anne Hathaway portrays Queen Penelope, who remains in Ithaca believing her husband is dead. Despite relentless pressure from suitors who occupy their palace, Penelope refuses to remarry. This film represents Hathaway’s third project with the director, after The Dark Knight Rises
and “Interstellar.”
Tom Holland plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus. As he reaches adulthood, Telemachus faces the internal conflict of whether to trust his mother’s belief that his father is still alive or to attempt to claim the throne himself to protect his mother from those seeking to seize power.
Gods and Mythological Figures
The Suitors and Trojan War Figures
The film features an expansive supporting cast involved in the political and personal stakes of the story: * Antinous: Robert Pattinson plays the conniving suitor who plots to control Ithaca, threatens Telemachus, and mocks others in his attempt to win Penelope’s hand. * Menelaus: Jon Bernthal plays the king of Sparta and brother to Agamemnon. * Agamemnon: Benny Safdie portrays the king of Mycenae who led the Greeks to victory at Troy. * Helen of Troy: Lupita Nyong’o appears as the figure whose abduction sparked the Trojan War. * Eurylochus: Himesh Patel plays this member of the returning soldiers. * Sinon: Elliot Page rounds out the cast in the role of Sinon.
Technical Ambitions and Theatrical Release
Beyond its cast, “The Odyssey” has generated significant attention for its technical production. It is the first feature film shot entirely on Imax 70mm film, a feat that required the invention of a new camera. The scarcity of theaters capable of projecting the film in this premium format has led to intense demand. There are only 41 theaters worldwide equipped to project in Imax 70mm, with 25 of those located in the United States and eight in California. When tickets first went on sale one year ago, most screenings sold out instantly, and a second round of ticket releases recently caused the AMC Theatres app to crash. Additionally, venues like the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale have undergone overhauls to accommodate the film. The Alex Theatre, which had not hosted a first-run film release since 1991, built a new booth to house equipment capable of running 70mm film. While audiences seek the larger-than-life
Imax experience, the analog presentation of “The Odyssey” is intended to provide a sense of scope, horizon, and immersion that reminds viewers of the experience of attending the cinema.
