Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Reimagines Female Roles, Challenges Norms

WHO:

Variety - Christopher Nolan is the director of "The Odyssey."

Variety - The cast and crew of "The Odyssey" are involved in the production.

WHAT:

CNN - The film features a visceral sequence where men are shown drowning inside the Trojan horse during the first two tides, struggling to breathe through straws amid the rising waters.

CNN - The scene depicts men urinating and defecating on one another due to cramped conditions, a detail not shown in earlier portrayals.

CNN - The film opens with a scene of the Trojans discovering the horse statue abandoned on the seashore, which aligns with Nolan's vision of making it credible to audiences.

CNN - The one Greek who remains, Sinon (Elliot Page), explains to the Trojan soldiers that the horse is a parting gift to the gods from his army, who seem to have given up on their years-long siege of the city.

CNN - The film's depiction of the Trojan horse is described as much sleeker and more refined compared to the 2004 film "Troy."

CNN - The film includes a chaotic sequence where the Greeks sneak out via a rope in the middle of the night, slay the few Trojan soldiers on duty, and struggle to finally open the city’s massive gates amid a growing contingent of enemies.

CNN - The film features a scene where men are shown drowning inside the Trojan horse during the first two tides, struggling to breathe through straws amid the rising waters.

CNN - The film includes a sequence where Menelaus describes how the men, stacked on top of each other amid stiflingly hot conditions, also had to urinate and defecate on one another.

Coming Soon - Matt Damon stated that the scene inside the Trojan horse was filmed with a real sense of improvisation, saying, "We’re just going to cram in there and figure it out."

Coming Soon - John Leguizamo expressed astonishment that Nolan and the cinematographer climbed inside the horse with the actors and an IMAX camera, stating, "I couldn’t believe that. I was like, Wow, this man is a leader."

Yahoo - The Laestrygonian scene features giants that appear four times the height of Odysseus, created using forced perspective techniques with stuntmen of varying heights.

Yahoo - Matt Damon stated that the Laestrygonian scene involved stuntmen who were all 7 feet tall and others under 5 feet, with his female stunt double, Devyn Dalton, being notably shorter.

CNN - The film's depiction of the Trojan horse includes a scene where men are shown drowning within it during the first two tides, a detail not previously depicted in other adaptations.

CNN - Max Nelson, an associate professor of Greek and Roman studies, noted that the harsh conditions for the Greeks waiting inside the Trojan horse have not been shown on screen before.

Yahoo - The Laestrygonian scene in "The Odyssey" features giants created using practical effects, with actors of varying heights, including a female stunt double, Devyn Dalton, who is noted for her significant height difference compared to Matt Damon.

CNN - The film includes a visceral sequence where men are shown drowning inside the Trojan horse, struggling to breathe and dealing with extreme claustrophobia, which has not been depicted in previous adaptations.

CNN - The scene inside the Trojan horse depicts men urinating and defecating on one another due to cramped conditions, a detail not shown in earlier portrayals.

Yahoo - The Laestrygonian scene in "The Odyssey" was created using practical effects and clever camera angles, featuring stuntmen of varying heights, including a female stunt double, Devyn Dalton.

Yahoo - Filming for "The Odyssey" took place in the summer of 2025 over 91 days in six countries, including Morocco and Greece.

Yahoo - Matt Damon stated that he felt "The Odyssey" would be the last movie of its kind due to its sheer scale, noting, "I don't think people are going to be given the resources to shoot movies that way for much longer."

CNN - The New York premiere of "The Odyssey" featured a statue of a horse that was almost 40 feet tall, which is part of a promotional tour that includes other giant horse statues traveling across the country and the UK.

CNN - The film includes a scene where men are shown drowning inside the Trojan horse during the first two tides, struggling to breathe and dealing with extreme claustrophobia, which has not been depicted in previous adaptations.

CNN - Max Nelson, an associate professor of Greek and Roman studies, stated that he could not recall another work that portrayed the Greeks' suffering inside the Trojan horse in such a dark manner.

CNN - Nolan had an image of the Trojan horse sinking into the sand in his head for 20 years, which influenced his portrayal in the film.

CNN - The film opens with a scene of the Trojans discovering the horse statue abandoned on the seashore, which aligns with Nolan's vision of making it credible to audiences.

CNN - The film's depiction of the Trojan horse is described as much sleeker and more refined compared to the 2004 film "Troy."

CNN - John Leguizamo, who plays Eumaeus, expressed astonishment that Nolan and the cinematographer climbed inside the horse with the actors and an IMAX camera.

CNN - The New York premiere of "The Odyssey" featured an almost-40-foot statue of a horse on the red carpet.

CNN - The film includes a visceral sequence inside the Trojan horse, showcasing the cramped and horrifying conditions for those hiding inside.

CNN - The scene depicts men drowning within the horse during the first two tides, struggling to breathe, and dealing with extreme claustrophobia.

CNN - Matt Damon described the filming of the scene inside the horse as a lesson in improvisation, stating, "We’re just going to cram in there and figure it out."

Coming Soon - Matt Damon required a female stunt double for a specific scene in "The Odyssey."

Variety - "The Odyssey" is a reimagining of Homer's epic, focusing on elevating female characters.

Variety - The production lasted for 91 days.

Variety - The crew faced challenging conditions, including wind, rain, and scorching sun.

WHERE:

Variety - Filming took place across five countries, including locations such as the ocean, craggy mountain passes, dense forests, and sandy beaches.

WHEN:

Sportskeeda - "The Odyssey" premiered globally in London on July 6, 2026, before opening in theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026.

CNN - The New York premiere of "The Odyssey" was held on July 14.

Coming Soon - Nolan's next movie after "The Odyssey" is anticipated to address Hollywood's double standard, although no specific release date is mentioned.

WHY:

TODAY.com - Emily Wilson, a classics professor, expressed that Nolan's adaptation misses essential themes of the original poem, particularly regarding Penelope's role, stating, "there was no possibility of believing in this marriage."

TODAY.com - Emily Wilson criticized Nolan's adaptation for missing essential themes of the original poem, particularly regarding Penelope's role, stating, "there was no possibility of believing in this marriage."

TODAY.com - Emily Wilson, a classics professor, expressed that Nolan's adaptation misses essential themes of the original poem, particularly regarding Penelope's role.

Whoopi Goldberg criticized male decision-making in "The Odyssey," referring to it as the "stupidity of men" during an interview on The View.

Variety - Nolan aimed to challenge norms by reimagining the roles of female characters in "The Odyssey."

HOW:

Yahoo - The Laestrygonian scene was filmed using practical effects, with actors of varying heights, including a female stunt double, Devyn Dalton, to create the illusion of giants towering over Odysseus.

CNN - Nolan stated that he had an image of the Trojan horse sinking into the sand in his head for 20 years, which influenced his portrayal in the film.

CNN - Nolan's film opens with a scene of the Trojans discovering the horse statue abandoned on the seashore, aligning with his vision of making it credible to audiences.

Yahoo - The Laestrygonian scene was filmed using forced perspective techniques, with stuntmen of different heights to create the illusion of giants towering over Odysseus.

Variety - The production involved extensive outdoor shooting in various challenging environments.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 14:40 UTC)

In a new film adaptation of the Trojan War, a gripping sequence shows men drowning inside the Trojan horse during the first two tides, struggling to breathe through straws as water rises around them. The film opens with the Trojans discovering the horse abandoned on the seashore, and it features a chaotic scene where the Greeks sneak out at night to attack the Trojans, all while Sinon, played by Elliot Page, deceives them about the horse's purpose. However, classics professor Emily Wilson critiques the adaptation for missing key themes from the original poem, particularly the significance of Penelope's character in the narrative.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 12:23 UTC)

"The Odyssey" premiered globally in London on July 6, 2026, and has since opened in theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026. The film has generated significant buzz among audiences and critics alike. Fans are eager to see how it performs at the box office in the coming weeks.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 11:32 UTC)

In a striking scene from the upcoming film, men are depicted drowning inside the Trojan horse during the first two tides, desperately struggling to breathe through straws as the water rises. Matt Damon shared that this intense moment was shot with a sense of improvisation, while John Leguizamo marveled at director Christopher Nolan and the cinematographer climbing inside the horse with the actors and an IMAX camera. Meanwhile, Emily Wilson has voiced her criticism of Nolan's adaptation, arguing that it fails to capture essential themes from the original poem, particularly regarding Penelope's role in the story.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 09:43 UTC)

The New York premiere of "The Odyssey" took place on July 14, showcasing a new adaptation by director Nolan. Emily Wilson, a classics professor, criticized the film for overlooking key themes from the original poem, especially in relation to Penelope's character, saying, "there was no possibility of believing in this marriage." Nolan revealed that the imagery of the Trojan horse sinking into the sand has been in his mind for two decades, shaping his vision for the film.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 22:18 UTC)

In an innovative twist, the upcoming film features a Laestrygonian scene where giants tower four times the height of Odysseus, achieved through forced perspective techniques with stuntmen of varying heights, including some at seven feet tall and others under five feet. Notably, the film's depiction of the Trojan horse includes a dramatic scene where men are shown drowning within it during the first two tides, a detail that has not been seen in previous adaptations, and highlights the harsh conditions faced by the Greeks inside. However, classics professor Emily Wilson has pointed out that director Nolan's adaptation overlooks key themes from the original poem, particularly the significance of Penelope's character.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 20:21 UTC)

The upcoming film adaptation of "The Odyssey" features a striking Laestrygonian scene, where giants are brought to life through practical effects and forced perspective techniques, showcasing actors of varying heights, including a notably tall stunt double, Devyn Dalton. In a visceral sequence not seen in previous adaptations, men are depicted struggling to breathe inside the Trojan horse, grappling with extreme claustrophobia, while the cramped conditions lead to shocking moments of urination and defecation. This gritty portrayal aims to add a new layer of realism to the classic tale, pushing the boundaries of how these legendary events are depicted on screen.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 19:23 UTC)

The highly anticipated film "The Odyssey" utilized practical effects and innovative camera angles to bring the Laestrygonian scene to life, featuring a diverse cast of stuntmen, including female stunt double Devyn Dalton. Filming took place over 91 days during the summer of 2025 across six countries, including Morocco and Greece. Matt Damon expressed his belief that this film may be the last of its kind due to its monumental scale, stating, "I don't think people are going to be given the resources to shoot movies that way for much longer."

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 18:21 UTC)

The New York premiere of "The Odyssey" showcased a stunning 40-foot tall statue of a horse, part of a promotional tour featuring similar giant statues across the country and the UK. The film takes a unique approach by depicting a harrowing scene where men struggle to breathe inside the Trojan horse during the first two tides, a portrayal that has not been seen in previous adaptations, and Max Nelson, an associate professor of Greek and Roman studies, noted the dark depiction of the Greeks' suffering is quite unprecedented. Director Christopher Nolan, who envisioned the Trojan horse sinking into the sand for 20 years, opens the film with the Trojans discovering the horse abandoned on the seashore, and actor John Leguizamo, who plays Eumaeus, was amazed that Nolan and the cinematographer climbed inside the horse with the actors and an IMAX camera.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 17:22 UTC)

The New York premiere of "The Odyssey" featured an impressive almost-40-foot statue of a horse on the red carpet, setting the stage for a film that includes a gripping sequence inside the Trojan horse, where men struggle to breathe and cope with extreme claustrophobia. Matt Damon, who described filming this intense scene as a lesson in improvisation, noted, "We’re just going to cram in there and figure it out," while also requiring a female stunt double for a specific part of the film. In a recent interview on The View, Whoopi Goldberg criticized the male decision-making in "The Odyssey," calling it the "stupidity of men."

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 16:26 UTC)

Christopher Nolan is directing a reimagining of Homer's epic titled "The Odyssey," which focuses on elevating female characters and aims to challenge traditional norms. The production, which lasted for 91 days, took place across five countries and involved extensive outdoor shooting in challenging conditions, including wind, rain, and scorching sun. Following "The Odyssey," Nolan's next movie is expected to tackle Hollywood's double standard, although a specific release date has not yet been announced.