Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway finally step into the spotlight as Telemachus and Penelope in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. And their newly revealed first-look images already tell a whole emotional story (via Empire). Holland shows up in full warrior mode as Odysseus’s son. Then there is Hathaway, who slips seamlessly into the role of the wife waiting on the other end of a decade-long heartbreak.
First look at Anne Hathaway and Mia Goth in Christopher Nolan’s ‘THE ODYSSEY’
Hathaway will star as Odysseus’ wife and Goth will star as Melantho
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First look at Tom Holland as Telemachus in Christopher Nolan's #TheOdyssey
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The duo’s dynamic isn’t romantic here, of course. Telemachus is the son of Penelope. The mother–son emotional thread between Penelope and Telemachus will be one of Nolan’s most touching anchors in this sweeping epic. With these images out, fans are now getting a clear sense of how Christopher Nolan plans to bring Homer’s ancient tale back to life.
What Exactly Is The Odyssey All About?
Nolan’s take on The Odyssey sticks closely to the classic epic poem. We will get to see a man trying to get home. But the movie will come with the grand, dust-in-your-hair intensity only he can deliver. Odysseus’ long and wildly cursed journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War forms the backbone of the film. And the story makes room for all the delicious mythological chaos along the way. There will be run-ins with the Cyclops Polyphemus.
We will meet the dangerously irresistible Sirens. Then there will be Circe, the enchantress who really knows how to complicate a timeline, and more than a little divine meddling from the big names: Athena, Poseidon, and Zeus.
Holland’s Telemachus and Hathaway’s Penelope hold down the fort back home, creating an emotional counterweight to all that action. Their quiet struggle — waiting, hoping, and keeping life together in Ithaca — gives the film its humanity. The newly released image of Holland covered in ancient Greek armor and trinkets shows just how deeply Nolan’s team is leaning into realism. And honestly, viewers aren’t complaining.
Christopher Nolan Was Pulled Toward The Odyssey Because of the “Genius of the Character”
It’s funny to think that Nolan once turned down the chance to direct Troy. Back then, he just “wasn’t feeling it” (via Deadline). However, as you can guess, Odysseus is a different story. This time, Nolan couldn’t resist the character’s brainy charm. He said (via Empire),
The genius of the character, the cleverness, the inventiveness of him, that was a huge part of what interested me. He’s not just a soldier. He’s an amazing strategist, a very wily person.
Nolan’s version will still bring the Trojan Horse to the screen, because, of course, why not? And in proper Nolan fashion, the thing was reportedly built from scratch. There are no shortcuts. Just a giant wooden marvel.
The cast is now stepping into view, and the visuals are promising an epic adventure. It’s clear Nolan is shooting for something both intimate and enormous. And if these first-look images of Holland and Hathaway are anything to go by, he’s well on his way.
Are you all excited for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic? Let us know in the comments.
The Odyssey will release on July 17, 2026, in theatres.
