A fresh TV spot for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey was broadcast during the New England Patriots versus Denver Broncos AFC Championship game, bringing a new look at Jon Bernthal’s Menelaus alongside Tom Holland as Telemachus and a speaking role by Travis Scott. The short trailer offers additional insight into the Greek mythological saga, highlighting the exploration of Odysseus’ legacy through his son Telemachus.
Scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, The Odyssey is a mythic action epic directed and written by Nolan, inspired by Homer’s classic saga, and filmed around the world utilizing state-of-the-art IMAX technology. This project marks Nolan’s thirteenth film, following a string of acclaimed works such as Oppenheimer, Interstellar, and Tenet.
Menelaus’ Storytelling Scene Deepens The Odyssey’s Mythological Layers
The newly revealed trailer opens with Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, questioning his father’s disappearance amid a tense gathering of Greek warriors. Jon Bernthal’s portrayal of Menelaus, the Spartan king and brother to Agamemnon, commands attention as he urges the group to hear the tale of Odysseus’ heroic feats. It is here that Travis Scott delivers a dramatic recounting of the Trojan War, vividly illustrating the cunning use of the Trojan Horse to infiltrate the city of Troy.
The moment captures Menelaus’ mentor-like presence, as he fixes his gaze on Telemachus while Scott stands atop a table, narrating,
“A trick. A trick to break the walls of Troy. It’s burning, screaming to the ground.”
This intense storytelling scene enriches the film’s depiction of Greek heroes and war, setting the tone for the epic journey that follows.
Matt Damon’s Odysseus then appears with a steadfast declaration: “Let’s go home,” signaling the end of the Trojan conflict and the beginning of his legendary voyage back to Ithaca.
Previous Trailer Established High Stakes Through Dark Mythology
The initial trailer, launched last month, introduced audiences to key characters including Damon’s Odysseus, Holland’s Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway’s Penelope, wife to Odysseus. It revealed glimpses of the Trojan Horse silently carrying soldiers into Troy’s fortified city, underscoring the tension and danger faced by the warriors.
Other eerie and intense sequences teased include the arrival of the Cyclops in a cavern brimming with soldiers and unsettling scenes of the undead rising from the earth itself. These haunting visuals contribute to the film’s intense atmosphere, combining myth with a visceral cinematic experience.
Connection Between Nolan and Travis Scott Adds Unique Creative Edge
The involvement of Travis Scott as a storytelling figure is notable, partly because The Odyssey is not the first collaboration between the rapper and Christopher Nolan. Scott previously contributed “The Plan” to Nolan’s 2020 film Tenet, blending Nolan’s blockbuster filmmaking with Scott’s musical artistry, indicating a continuity in creative partnership.
Matt Damon Reflects on Demanding Role and Physical Transformation
In a recent interview with Netflix promoting his new movie The Rip, Matt Damon spoke candidly about the challenges of portraying Odysseus. He described the filming experience as profoundly affecting him, sharing that he is still processing the intensity of the work.
“It did have a profound effect on me,”
Damon said.
Damon elaborated on the timing of the role in his career, stating,
“If I look objectively at what was required to do that job, I think it came at just the right time in my life. I think I would’ve been miserable 20 years ago trying to do that job. Because you were uncomfortable every day, but I really enjoyed… like, deeply enjoyed every minute of it.”
Earlier this month, Damon also revealed the rigorous physical demands he met for the role, including slimming down to his high school weight.
“I had a beard like yours for like a year,”
he told Jason and Travis Kelce on their podcast New Heights.
“I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. [Nolan] wanted me lean but strong.”
The strict regimen involved dietary adjustments as well, with Damon explaining,
“Just because of this other thing that I did with my doctor, I stopped eating gluten.”
He added,
“I used to walk around at between 185 and 200, and I did that whole movie at 167. And I haven’t been that light since high school. So it was a lot of training and a really strict diet.”
Damon compared his training process to that of professional athletes preparing for a season, saying to the Kelce brothers,
“I imagine what that feels like for you guys, where you’re preparing. It’s just part of your day, it’s part of your job, and you get really routinized about it and kinda build your day around all that stuff.”
The Odyssey’s Place in Nolan’s Portfolio and Anticipation for Release
The Odyssey follows Nolan’s critically and commercially successful film Oppenheimer, which earned nearly $975 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Coming off such momentum, expectations for Nolan’s mythic action epic are high, blending ancient storytelling with groundbreaking cinematic technology.
The director’s established reputation and the project’s global scope have generated significant excitement, evidenced by the limited early ticket sales launched a year ahead of the scheduled premiere. The film promises a vividly reimagined take on Homer’s epic, anchored by Jon Bernthal’s commanding portrayal of Menelaus, Matt Damon’s Odysseus, and the younger generation represented by Tom Holland’s Telemachus.
