Christopher Nolan’sThe Odysseyis now one of the most anticipated movies coming in the next couple of years and is inextricably tied to other, older projects when it is based on widely used source material. Hot off finally winning an Oscar for the Best Picture winner ofOppenheimer, Nolan is making another genre pivot into Greek mythology, with an adaptation of the fantasy action epic, originally the epic poemThe Odysseyby Homer.The Odyssey’s castis incredibly impressive, with Matt Damon confirmed to be in the lead role and both regular and first-time Nolan collaborators on board.
With this star-studded cast and Nolan’s skill for sweeping large-scale visual masterpieces, there is overwhelming reason to be excited aboutThe Odyssey. In 2027, we could be referring to this asChristopher Nolan’s new best movie— even ifOppenheimeris tough to beat. However,the narratives ofThe IliadandThe Odyssey(both by Homer) have been adapted before.Rather than setting up competition for Nolan’s latest project, 2026’sThe Odysseyis likely to be the unofficial and much better sequel to an average-at-best example.
How Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Works As A Sequel To Troy
The Odyssey Is The Story Of What Happens After The Trojan War
Nolan’sThe Odysseywill work as a kind of sequel toTroy,the 2004 blockbuster depicting the Trojan War, starring Brad Pitt as Achilles and Eric Bana as Hector. Odysseus, the main character ofThe Odyssey, also appears in this movie, played by Sean Bean. According to legend, the Trojan War began due to the kidnapping of Helen, the wife of Menelaus, by the Trojan prince Paris. Subsequently, many Greek warriors and royals were called upon to lay siege to Troy to get her back, including Achilles and Odysseus.
Matt Damon Is Great, But I Wanted To See Christopher Nolan Cast This Actor As Odysseus Instead
Matt Damon is a great choice, but I was hoping to see someone else as Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming rendition of The Odyssey.
Troyshowcases the inevitable confrontation between Achilles and Hector, and the end of the Trojan War.The Odyssey’s narrative is what happens after the war is over, as Odysseus attempts to get home to his familybut angers the god Poseidon, who uses all his power to prevent Odysseus from ever reaching Ithaca again. The character’s presence inTroyis something of a nod toThe Odyssey; while Odysseus plays an important part in the Trojan War, he has his own story that will happen in the aftermath.
Christopher Nolan Can Make A Much Better Troy Sequel Than A Real One Would Be
Troy Is Mostly A Fun Action Flick, Without Much Critical Acclaim
Troynever got a sequel, which was probably for the best.The blockbuster is entertaining, but it shies away from depicting the most brutal parts of the Trojan War,which drives home the message of the devastation resulting from pride and jealousy. Among other things, Achilles ends up in a highly romanticized and nonsensical romantic subplot with Briseis (Rose Byrne), a captive Trojan woman, and nearly all the members of the Trojan royal family survive and escape. It’s a high-budget movie, but ultimately empty, whereas Nolan is known for loading his stunning visuals with effective thematic weight.
Nolan’s direction and Damon’s performance are likely to showcase the true individual and communal toll of the war and the titular journey.
Essentially, ifThe Odysseyis a sequel toTroy, it is probably going to be much better than what the real sequel toTroywould have been. Nolan’s direction and Damon’s performance are likely to showcase the true individual and communal toll of the war and the titular journey, with much more nuanced character arcs all around. In fact, some are wondering ifNolan should have madeThe Iliadinto a movie first. WhileThe Odysseyworks fine as a standalone, anyone would want to see what Nolan would do with the often tragic corpus of Greek mythology, no matter which specific tale.
The Odyssey
Cast
The Odyssey is a 2026 film adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, chronicling Odysseus’s treacherous journey home from the Trojan War. The narrative explores his encounters with mythical creatures such as Polyphemus, the Sirens, and Circe, culminating in his reunion with his wife, Penelope.
Troy
Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen and released in 2004, is a historical epic based on Homer’s Iliad. The film chronicles the legendary Trojan War, focusing on the conflict between Achilles, played by Brad Pitt, and Hector, portrayed by Eric Bana. Starring Orlando Bloom as Paris and Diane Kruger as Helen, it explores themes of honor, betrayal, and the fates of the warriors involved in the siege of Troy.
