<p>A guide to Christopher Nolan’s star-studded cast in the upcoming adaptation of literature’s most epic poem.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Christopher Nolan’s mythic adaptation of </span><em>The Odyssey</em><span> is almost here. Long anticipated by fans since the first teaser trailer launch in December 2025, the film will be released in theatres on July 17, 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Nolan’s feature film takes a new approach to a very old, action-packed tale, first composed by the Greek poet Homer nearly 2,700 years ago.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span><em>The Odyssey</em> follows Odysseus, who battles sea monsters, a Cyclops, sirens, and more, on his ten-year journey to return home to his family in Ithaca after the Trojan War. </span><span>Nolan shot <em>The Odyssey</em> across six different countries over 91 days, and it will be the first movie to use the brand-new technology of 70mm IMAX film cameras. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Below, explore everything we know about the film's stacked A-list cast, from Travis Scott's film debut to Matt Damon's leading role.&nbsp;</span></p>

<h2 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Meet the Cast of <em>The Odyssey</em></strong></h2>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Matt Damon as <em>Odysseus</em></h3>

Matt Damon. Getty Images.

<p>Damon stars as Odysseus, the hero who famously devised the Trojan Horse and survived the sirens by plugging his ears with wax. This is Damon's third film with Nolan, after&nbsp;<em>Interstellar</em> and <em>Oppenheimer</em>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Anne Hathaway as <em>Penelope</em></h3>

Anne Hathaway at the 2026 Met Gala. Getty Images.

<p>Hathaway plays Penelope, the wife of Odysseus. She protects the kingdom of Ithaca and raises their son Telemachus while her husband is away at the Trojan War for 20 years. This is also Hathaway's third Nolan movie, following her roles in&nbsp;<em>The Dark Knight Rises</em> and <em data-node-id="8.5">Interstellar.&nbsp;</em></p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Tom Holland as <em>Telemachus</em></h3>

Tom Holland at the SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Photocall in London. Getty Images.

<p>Holland plays Odysseus and Penelope's son, Telemachus, who travels on a quest to find his long-lost father.&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: center;">Zendaya as <em>Athena</em></p>

Zendaya wears Christian Cowan at the Spider-Man: Brand New Day photocall in Madrid. Getty Images.

<p>Starring alongside her partner, Tom Holland, Zendaya plays Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. In The Odyssey, Athena guides Telemachus on his quest to find his father. The goddess also keeps Odysseus on course during his return journey to Ithaca.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Robert Pattinson as <em>Antinous</em></h3>

Robert Pattinson at the Dior Men's Fall/Winter 2026 show. Getty Images.

<p>Pattinson shows off his villainous side as Antinous, the rival to Odysseus who tries to kill Telemachus and marry Penelope. Antinous is the leader of a group of suitors who are vying (unsuccessfully) for Penelope's hand during her husband's absence.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Lupita Nyong’o as <em>Helen of Troy </em>and<em> Clytemnestra</em></h3>

Lupita Nyong'o in custom Chanel. Getty Images.

<p>Helen of Troy is known as the face that "launched a thousand ships." Nyong’o is set to play one of the most beautiful women in mythology and the catalyst of the Trojan War. When Paris spirits Helen away from her husband, Menelaus, the king of Sparta, war breaks loose. Nyong’o will also play Helen's sister, Clytemnestra, who is stuck in a bitter marriage to Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Jon Bernthal as <em>Menelaus</em></h3>

Jon Bernthal during the 92nd Annual Drama League Awards. Getty Images.

<p>Bernthal plays Menelaus, Helen of Troy's husband. He teams up with Agamemnon to wage war against the Trojans when Helen is captured. When Telemachus comes to Menelaus on his quest to find his father, the Spartan King confirms that Odysseus is indeed alive.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Benny Safdie as <em>Agamemnon</em></h3>

Benny Safdie attends the NY premiere of "Marty Supreme" in New York. Getty Images.

<p>Safdie's character, Agamemnon, leads the Achaean forces during the Trojan War and is married to Clytemnestra.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Charlize Theron as <em>Calypso</em></h3>

Charlize Theron attends Netflix's "Apex" Premiere in April, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images.

<p>Theron joins the Nolan adaptation as the goddess Calypso, who rescues Odysseus from a shipwreck and keeps him captive on her island, Ogygia, for seven years.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span>Mia Goth as <em>Melantho</em></span></h3>

Mia Goth in Dior. Getty Images.

<p>Goth plays Melantho, a disdainful maidservant in Odysseus's palace in Ithaca, alongside her twin brother, Menthius. She betrays both Penelope and Odysseus before coming to an untimely end.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Samantha Morton as <em>Circe</em></h3>

Samantha Morton attends a screening of "Anemone" during the 69th BFI London Film Festival. Getty Images.

<p>Morton takes on the role of the mythical and powerful sorceress Circe, who is most famous for transforming Odysseus's crew of sailors into pigs. If you're looking to brush up on your knowledge of Circe, her famous myth was retold in a 2018 novel by author Madeline Miller.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Travis Scott as the <em>Bard</em></h3>

Travis Scott attends Pharrell Williams's Louis Vuitton show in a grey workwear set with a multicolor Monogram backpack. Getty Images.

<p dir="ltr"><span>The rapper and producer is making his film debut in <em>The Odyssey</em> as a bard. In the movie's teaser trailer, Scott's character delivers a prophecy: </span>“A war, a man, a trick—a trick to break the walls of Troy. It's burning, screaming to the ground.” <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Nolan explained his casting choice to <em>Time Magazine</em>, saying: “I cast him because I wanted to nod towards the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">The Odyssey</span><em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> will be released in theatres everywhere on July 17, 2026.&nbsp;</span></em></p>

Who’s Who in 'The Odyssey'?

Tags

Related Articles

Film & TV

Everything to Know About Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'

Pop culture

The Secret's Out: Tom Holland and Zendaya Are Officially Married

Fashion

The Sneakers Behind Travis Scott's Signature Style

Recommended posts for you

Film & TV