Matt Damon will play Odysseus in Christopher Nolan‘s upcoming epic “The Odyssey.” He will appear alongside an expansive cast including Tom Holland, Mia Goth, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal and John Leguizamo.
Damon’s role was revealed Monday morning through the film’s official X account. The post included a photo of him in character and read, “Matt Damon is Odysseus. A film by Christopher Nolan, #TheOdysseyMovie is in theaters July 17, 2026.”
Matt Damon as Odysseus
“The Odyssey” follows the Greek hero Odysseus on his tumultuous journey home after the Trojan War.
Homer, the ancient Greek poet, wrote the Odyssey, one of the most renowned epic poems still read and studied by audiences to this day. He is also credited with writing The Iliad, another of his works that is foundational to Western literature.
After the Trojan War, Odysseus faced a decade-long journey back to Ithaca, encountering mythical creatures and gods, including the Cyclops Polyphemus, Circe, the Sirens, and Scylla & Charybdis.
Unlike other Greek heroes known for brute strength, Odysseus was celebrated for his wit and strategic thinking.
After years of trials, he finally returned to Ithaca, where he defeated the suitors vying for his wife’s hand and reclaimed his throne. His story is one of perseverance, resilience, and intellect, making him one of the most enduring figures in mythology
Shooting locations for The Odyssey
According to Variety, Nolan will shoot The Odyssey partly in Sicily and specifically on the island of Favignana known as “goat island” which, according to some scholars, is believed to be where parts of Homer’s epic actually take place. Additional filming locations include the U.K. and Morocco.
The Italian island of Favignana, one of the Aegadian Islands off the western coast of Sicily, is often connected to Odysseus’ voyage back to Ithaca through interpretations of Homer’s Odyssey. While Homer does not specifically name Favignana, the island has been linked to certain episodes in Odysseus’ travels based on geographical and mythological considerations.
There are also reports that some scenes will also be filmed in Greece. The arrival of a wooden ancient trireme in Katakolo, western Peloponnese, signals that filming of the movie is set to begin in the country where Homer’s epic took place, according to ERT.
Greece’s state broadcaster reports that the 200-year-old trireme arrived at the port of Katakolo from Norway and is to be used in Nolan’s new film. It is heading to Messinia, eastern Peloponnese set near the sea location of the filming on Friday, February 14. There three similar boats are to be used for the needs of the film.