Distributed by Universal Pictures and produced by Nolan's production company Syncopy, the film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Ancient Greek king of Ithaca, and follows his journey home after the Trojan War to reunite with his wife, Penelope.
The Odyssey follows Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, on his perilous journey to return home following the Trojan War, his encounters with the cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the witch goddess Circe, and his reunion with his wife, Penelope.
The Hollywood Reporter debunked speculation that the film would adapt the British spy television series The Prisoner (1967–68), which Nolan previously considered in 2009.
[12] Further casting took place throughout early 2025, with prior Nolan collaborators Benny Safdie,[13] Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, and Bill Irwin joining alongside Samantha Morton,[14] Jon Bernthal,[15] John Leguizamo,[16] Jesse Garcia, Will Yun Lee,[17] Rafi Gavron, Shiloh Fernandez,[18] Mia Goth,[19] Corey Hawkins,[20] Nick E. Tarabay, Jimmy Gonzales, and Maurice Compte.
[21] Damon was confirmed to be portraying Odysseus when a "surprise" first-look image of him in costume was released in mid-February, ahead of the start of filming later that month.