Travis Scott commands attention in the newly released trailer for Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, which premiered during the AFC Championship game on Sunday. The teaser gave audiences their first glimpse of Scott’s haunting character amid the unfolding tale of war, deception, and heroism, emphasizing the tension that defines Nolan’s latest project.
Intense Characters and Stirring Dialogue Highlight the Preview
In one gripping scene, Tom Holland, portraying Telemachus, asks,
what do you know about my dad?,
while Jon Bernthal’s Menelaus cries out,
who has a story about Odysseus? Huh? You? You, you have a story?
These exchanges set the stage for an intense narrative centered on Odysseus and his legacy.
Shortly after, Scott’s character slams a staff against a wooden table to silence a room full of men and ominously declares,
A war, a man, a track — a trick to break the walls of Troy,
aligning with scenes showing Matt Damon’s Odysseus equipping for battle and concealing himself and his soldiers within the immense Trojan Horse. The visual of the wooden horse symbolizes the clever stratagem that turns the tide in the Trojan War.
Dramatic Imagery Brings the Trojan War to Life
The trailer intensifies as it shows Odysseus and his warriors setting fire to the city in a dark, stealthy raid, with Scott’s voice conveying the chaos: …burning, screaming to the ground. While the footage quickly spread online following its television debut, Universal Pictures had not yet released an official version publicly, and requests for comment from Universal and Scott were not answered at the time.
Star-Studded Cast Completes Nolan’s Vision
The Odyssey, scheduled for release on July 17, boasts a remarkable cast including Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Circe, Benny Safdie embodying Agamemnon, John Leguizamo as Eumaeus, and Mia Goth as Melantho. This ensemble brings depth to the classic Greek tale, grounded in Nolan’s meticulous storytelling.
The Creative Partnership Between Nolan and Scott
Christopher Nolan and Travis Scott’s collaborative history began in 2020 when Scott contributed the track The Plan for Nolan’s film Tenet. Nolan reflected on Scott’s input, stating,
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.
This creative synergy enhanced the film’s pioneering structure and sound, reflecting Nolan’s ambitious vision.
Following Tenet’s release, Scott shared a handwritten note from Nolan praising Scott’s video for the song Franchise, which played before select Tenet IMAX screenings. Nolan wrote,
Love the video (shot on film, no less!),
adding,
I can’t wait to hear it on the IMAX speakers, and see those sheep stampede across the giant screen as part of a Travis/Tenet/Travis Sandwich! Great work.
Scott’s Expanding Creative Roles Beyond Music
Besides his involvement in Nolan’s projects, Travis Scott has appeared as the voice of Rhyme-a-saurus in NBC’s 2021 holiday special Trolls Holiday in Harmony and portrayed Zion in Harmony Korine’s experimental 2023 film Aggro Dr1ft. These roles showcase his versatility beyond music, adding to his growing profile in entertainment.
The Significance of Nolan’s Latest Epic
Filmed entirely using IMAX cameras, Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic is his first major release following the critical and commercial success of Oppenheimer, which won seven Oscars and earned nearly $1 billion worldwide. The Odyssey’s ambitious production and star-studded cast suggest a cinematic event that will captivate audiences and redefine how this classic story is brought to the screen.
With its release date set for mid-July, anticipation is building for how Nolan and Scott’s joint efforts and the talented ensemble will bring new life to this ancient tale, influencing both cinematic storytelling and cultural depictions of Greek mythology.
A MEESAGE FROM NOLAN pic.twitter.com/6LUnSBtFbv
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) September 24, 2020
