A newly released television spot provides the first look at rapper Travis Scott in Christopher Nolan’s eagerly awaited film, The Odyssey. The teaser aired during Fox’s broadcast of the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos, introducing Scott’s character with a commanding presence that interrupts a scene involving Jon Bernthal’s Menelaus and Tom Holland’s Telemachus.
Scott’s character taps his staff loudly to quell the mess hall’s noise, warning of an impending war. He announces,
“A war, a man, a trick — a trick to break the walls of Troy,”
as the clip flashes scenes from the legendary Trojan War. The dramatic imagery continues with the line,
“It burning, screaming to the ground,”
foreshadowing the devastating conflict.
Ensemble Cast Brings Homer’s Epic Tale to Life
The Odyssey’s star-studded cast features Matt Damon portraying the legendary Odysseus. Alongside Damon, the film includes Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Charlize Theron, Himesh Patel, Elliott Page, Bill Irwin, and Samantha Morton. This collection of acclaimed actors promises an ambitious retelling of Homer’s classic story.
Longstanding Collaborative Relationship Between Nolan and Scott
Christopher Nolan and Travis Scott have a history of collaboration, with Scott contributing the theme song “THE PLAN” for Nolan’s 2020 film Tenet. Nolan described Scott’s involvement as essential, telling GQ,
“His voice became the final piece of a yearlong puzzle. His insights into the musical and narrative mechanism [composer] Ludwig Göransson and I were building were immediate, insightful, and profound.”
After Tenet’s release, Scott shared a handwritten note from Nolan praising his work on the song “FRANCHISE,” which was featured ahead of select IMAX screenings. Their shared enthusiasm for cinema also connects them, as Scott emphasized the importance of preserving the theatergoing experience in a Rolling Stone profile, while Nolan, serving as head of the Directors Guild of America, has advocated against a streaming-only approach to film releases.
Plot and Mythological Elements Revealed Through Early Teasers
While much of The Odyssey remains under wraps, the available images and trailers highlight Nolan’s interpretation of Homer’s ancient poem. The story follows Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he embarks on a perilous voyage home after the Trojan War. Alongside struggles against natural elements, Odysseus confronts mythological challenges such as the one-eyed giant Polyphemus, the enchanting Sirens, the nymph Calypso, and the sorceress Circe. His ultimate goal is to reunite with his wife Penelope.
Anticipated Theatrical Release Targeted for Summer
Universal Pictures is scheduled to premiere The Odyssey in IMAX theaters on July 17, inviting audiences to experience this mythological epic on the big screen. Given the film’s combination of a critically acclaimed director, a notable cast, and evocative early footage, excitement continues to build around Nolan’s latest project.
A MEESAGE FROM NOLAN pic.twitter.com/6LUnSBtFbv
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) September 24, 2020
