Christopher Nolan, the acclaimed filmmaker known for works like Oppenheimer, Inception, and The Dark Knight, has disclosed that he was originally set to direct the historical epic Troy in 2004, highlighting a lesser-known chapter in his career. This revelation adds another layer to Nolan’s career path, and brings to light Christopher Nolan Troy directing plans that almost materialized before he was given the opportunity to helm Batman Begins.
The director recounted during an interview for Empire Magazine that Warner Bros. initially selected him to direct Troy after Wolfgang Petersen moved to pursue another film. When that separate project did not proceed, Petersen returned to helm Troy, shifting the studio’s decisions and opening a path for Nolan to direct the first of his Batman trilogy.
“I was originally hired by Warner Bros. to direct Troy,”
explained Nolan. — Christopher Nolan, Director
“Wolfgang [Petersen] had developed it, and so when the studio decided not to proceed with his superhero movie [‘Batman Vs Superman’], he wanted it back.”
— Christopher Nolan, Director
Nolan also discussed his persistent interest in telling stories set in Ancient Greece, indicating that although he did not get to direct Troy, the fascination with that world remained with him.
“At the end of the day, it was a world that I was very interested to explore,”
he said. — Christopher Nolan, Director
“So it’s been at the back of my mind for a very long time. Certain images, particularly. How I wanted to handle the Trojan horse, things like that.”
— Christopher Nolan, Director
“As a filmmaker, you’re looking for gaps in cinematic culture, things that haven’t been done before. And what I saw is that all of this great mythological cinematic work that I had grown up with—Ray Harryhausen movies and other things—I’d never seen that done with the sort of weight and credibility that an A-budget and a big Hollywood, IMAX production could do.”
— Christopher Nolan, Director
Nolan’s Ambition Now Realized with The Odyssey
Nolan’s long-standing interest in classical myths has finally found expression in the forthcoming film The Odyssey, expected in theaters in 2026. Early anticipation for the film is high, with the IMAX 70mm version already selling out a year ahead of its release, signaling excitement from both cinema enthusiasts and the industry.
With a production budget surpassing $250 million, The Odyssey is the most expensive film of Nolan’s career. Notable actor Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, the famed Greek figure navigating a perilous journey home after the Trojan War, echoing Homeric tales that influenced generations. The impressive cast also brings together Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, and Robert Pattinson, emphasizing the star power and ambition behind the project.
The involvement of revered figures like Ray Harryhausen in previous mythological cinema, as referenced by Nolan, and the presence of renowned actors and collaborators reinforce the film’s ambition to bring ancient stories to life with scale and depth rarely seen. Nolan’s Christopher Nolan Troy directing plans, combined with his experience on films like Oppenheimer, inform his approach to recreating Ancient Greek legends for modern audiences.
As the release of The Odyssey approaches, the project underscores Nolan’s dedication to exploring “gaps in cinematic culture,” aiming to deliver a mythological epic with the artistry and technical innovation that define his body of work. Audiences will soon see if his vision for recounting Odysseus’s journey will join the ranks of Hollywood’s most enduring historical epics.
