🔗 Share this article See Christopher Nolan's This Epic Preview the Way It Was Never Intended for Viewing. Christopher Nolan's mythic action epic, The Odyssey, is a film we've been eagerly awaiting since its announcement. It easily ranks as one of the most awaited motion pictures coming next year. As a pre-Christmas treat, a preview has now been released, though it's hampered due to the platform's low-quality encoding—perhaps explaining the director's choice to restrict the preview exclusive to cinemas. The Initial Look at the Legendary Cast The debut footage reveals Matt Damon portraying Odysseus. We also see Tom Holland playing the son and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. In a poignant moment, the character pleads with Odysseus to promise his safe homecoming, to which he look up and question what occurs should he fail. Furthermore, the preview provides a quick, obscured look at Polyphemus the Cyclops, whose flock Odysseus and his crew steal on their treacherous voyage. Based upon a foundational pillar of Western literature, The Odyssey follows the epic journey undertaken by the famed ruler. Following his victory in the Trojan War, which is depicted in Homer's Iliad, Odysseus endures a long and perilous road home. Mythical Encounters with an All-Star Cast Along his path, the hero encounters numerous obstacles and mythical beings. These include the witch-goddess Circe, known for turning humans into pigs, as well as the treacherous Sirens. Regardless of these ordeals, his sworn oath is to do whatever it takes to get back to his wife and son on his home island. This film's ensemble is remarkably star-studded. Joining Damon, Holland, and Hathaway are Charlize Theron as the cunning Circe, together with Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal. A Tale of Many Adaptations The classic poem has seen many reinterpretations over the years. Examples include contemporary versions to a 1999 ballet. It has even been a stage musical adaptation called Epic: The Musical, released in the form of a nine-album collection. The official trailer has been highly anticipated since the film's announcement and a brief teaser which was initially shown exclusively in theaters. That teaser later made its way onto the internet soon after. To see a clearer version, the trailer posted on the film's official social channel may provide enhanced visual quality. The Odyssey is scheduled for release on global IMAX screens on July 17, 2026.