The highly anticipated debut trailer for Christopher Nolan's forthcoming cinematic endeavor, titled "The Odyssey," has finally been unleashed upon eager audiences. Universal Studios strategically placed this预告片—heralded as a "mythic action epic"—ahead of the screenings of "Jurassic Park Rebirth," which premiered on Tuesday evening. Notably, the trailer did not make its official online debut; Nolan cherishes the cinematic experience for his trailers, evidenced by the Oscar-winning "Oppenheimer," whose first teaser likewise premiered exclusively in theaters.
However, despite Universal and Nolan's best intentions, the reality of smartphone-equipped moviegoers meant the trailer swiftly found its way onto X (unfortunately, compromising its cinematic grandeur in the process). The early release of the trailer is somewhat unconventional, considering "The Odyssey" is still in production and set for release in July of next year. Yet, given "Jurassic World's" anticipated box office bonanza of at least $100 million and its status as Universal's most promising release in months, pairing it with the initial push for Nolan's magnum opus makes strategic sense.
Since the adaptation of the ancient Greek epic poem is still a work in progress, it's hardly surprising that the resulting trailer serves more as a tantalizing teaser. It commences with haunting visuals of a dark, stormy ocean, accompanied by a haunting voiceover: "Darkness. Zeus' law shattered. Kingless, I roam since my master's demise. He knew the war was unwinnable—yet somehow, he triumphed."
The teaser then cuts to a scene featuring Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus' son, engaging in a conversation with an as-yet-unnamed character portrayed by Jon Bernthal. "I must uncover my father's fate," declares Telemachus, to which Bernthal's character responds, booming across a room filled with curiosity, "Who has tales of Odysseus? You? You have stories? Some whisper of his wealth, some of his poverty. Some claim he perished, others say he's imprisoned."
Subsequently, the trailer reveals driftwood floating on the sea, with a figure—presumably Matt Damon as the Greek king—lying atop it.
Furthermore, the star-studded cast boasts Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Mia Goth, adding to the film's already considerable allure. With a budget of $250 million, "The Odyssey" stands as the most ambitious and expensive project of Nolan's storied career. Shot entirely with Imax cameras, it marks a historic first for a film of such grand scope. While one might be tempted to label this project a "gamble," Nolan's proven track record—highlighted by the billion-dollar success of his atomic energy biopic a couple of years ago—affirms his status as one of the few directors capable of consistently drawing massive crowds. The epic narrative and star-laden cast of "The Odyssey" promise to be a magnet for moviegoers.
Drawing inspiration from the timeless tale of the king of Ithaca's arduous journey home after the Trojan War, the original story finds Odysseus encountering an array of mythical beings, including the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, the enchantress Circe, and venturing into the Underworld. Filming commenced in February, spanning locations in Greece, Morocco, and Italy. Scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, "The Odyssey" promises to be a cinematic adventure unlike any other.
