Okay movie buffs Christopher Nolan tackling Homer's epic poem The Odyssey? Sounds amazing right? I mean Nolan a director known for mind-bending movies like Inception and Oppenheimer taking on ancient Greek mythology? Sign me up! But hold your horses because some recent news and set photos have fans like us scratching our heads and wondering what exactly Nolan is cooking up.
Viking Ships in Ancient Greece? Set Photos of Nolan's The Odyssey Have Fans Confused (and Amused)
So the movie just started filming and already some eyebrow-raising details are leaking out. First off Matt Damon is playing Odysseus. Solid casting right? But then there are the set photos. Pictures have surfaced online showing Nolan on set with Tom Holland on a massive WOODEN SHIP. Cool you might think. Except this ain't just any ship. It looks suspiciously like a Viking longboat. Yes you read that right a VIKING ship in Ancient Greece.
People online are understandably confused. I mean isn't The Odyssey supposed to be about Greek heroes sailing around the Mediterranean in triremes? Not Vikings in longboats! One article joked about playing enough Assassin’s Creed to know the difference between a Greek Trireme and a Viking Longboat. It is kinda funny to picture Odysseus and his crew rocking a Viking vessel. Is Nolan taking historical liberties? Is this some wild reinterpretation? Or is there a secret time-travel plot twist we don't know about yet? Your guess is as good as mine but it definitely adds a layer of mystery and amusement to this already highly anticipated movie.
Star-Studded Cast Assembles for Nolan's Mythic Action Epic: Beyond Vikings What We Know So Far
Despite the Viking ship confusion one thing is crystal clear: Nolan has assembled an absolutely insane cast for The Odyssey. We're talking a who's who of Hollywood A-listers. Besides Matt Damon and Tom Holland get ready for:
- Zendaya
- Robert Pattinson
- Lupita Nyong’o
- Anne Hathaway
- Charlize Theron
- Jon Bernthal
- Ryan Hurst (from Sons of Anarchy!)
- Benny Safdie
- Elliot Page
- Samantha Morton
- Cosmo Jarvis
- Mia Goth
That is a LOT of talent. The movie is being described as a "mythic action epic" and Universal promises it's being "shot across the world" using brand new IMAX film technology. Nolan is known for his grand scale and visual spectacle so expect The Odyssey to be HUGE. The official release date is July 17 2026 so we have a bit of a wait but it sounds like it will be worth it.
From Gotham to Greece: Why Nolan Left Batman Behind and Set Sail for The Odyssey
Speaking of epic Christopher Nolan is no stranger to massive movie projects. He basically redefined superhero movies with his Dark Knight trilogy. But have you ever wondered why he never made a fourth Batman movie? Apparently it was always Nolan's plan to stop at three. Christian Bale who played Batman has said that Nolan always intended the Dark Knight series to be a trilogy and that they should "walk away after that" to avoid becoming "overindulgent."
While Bale and even Nolan's brother Jonathan Nolan would be open to revisiting Gotham Christopher Nolan himself seems pretty set on being done with Batman. He feels The Dark Knight Rises was the definitive end to his Batman story. Now Nolan is setting his sights on new horizons. After the massive success of Oppenheimer it seems like he has the creative freedom to tackle whatever he wants and right now that is The Odyssey. From atomic bombs to ancient myths Nolan is clearly drawn to big complex stories. And hey who knows maybe his take on The Odyssey will be just as game-changing as his Batman movies even with the Viking ship.
The Odyssey Movie: What We Know So Far in a Nutshell
- Directed by: Christopher Nolan
- Based on: Homer's epic poem The Odyssey
- Starring: Matt Damon (Odysseus) Tom Holland Zendaya Robert Pattinson and many more
- Genre: Mythic Action Epic
- Filming: Currently in production shooting on location
- Visuals: Shot using brand new IMAX film technology
- Release Date: July 17 2026
- Intriguing Detail: Set photos show Viking longboat being used for ancient Greek setting sparking fan theories and humor.