When it was revealed in October of 2024 that Christopher Nolan was working on a new movie with Universal Studios following the success of Oppenheimer, a significant amount of buzz was generated online. Details of his latest project were kept under wraps for as long as possible, and speculation ran rampant with theories ranging from a possible vampire period piece to a reboot of a 1983 flick.
However, all these rumours were put to rest when Universal Studios announced in December 2025 that Nolan would be helming an adaptation of the famous Greek epic – Homer’s Odyssey. The news broke social media with reactions ranging from excitement to disbelief and today, the first trailer for the film has been released. Here is what netizens had to say about it.
X reactions to the Odyssey trailer:
Though the film’s announcement initially generated eager anticipation, pictures of the cast in costume – specifically Matt Damon’s first look as Odysseus, Tom Holland’s Telemachus costume and details of other ensembles – made their way on to social media platforms, the enthusiasm was slightly dampened. Social media users expressed that the film looked “drab and colourless” and the clothes were not period accurate – criticising the lack of attention to detail.
Now with the trailer out, reactions on X (formerly Twitter) were more polarized than ever before; die-hard Nolan fans maintained excitement while others outright panned it. One user commented, “I’m sure it’ll be good but this is one of the worst trailers I ever saw. I have no idea what it’s about even though I literally know what The Odyssey is about.” The comment had over a thousand likes.
Another user posted, “This is going to be one of the greatest works of art of our time; I will surely be reading up on the Iliad and the Odyssey just as a refresher before the movie; but I haven’t been this excited for a movie in a long long time — glad we got to grow up in this time for cinema” – and received a scathing reply in return. “Lmfao whatever drugs you’re on are STRONG!” The comment read.
One X user, quoting the trailer, commented, “How is it possible that this is the most anticipated movie of 2026 when it looks so awful?” bringing to the forefront the criticisms that had been levelled at the film in its initial stages. However, another post which received over 38k likes read, “The Odyssey looks incredible when you don’t have a bitch in your ear complaining about historical accuracy.” The first trailer has clearly divided the internet and this rift is bound to widen as the movie’s release date approaches.
About The Odyssey
Starring Matt Damon in the titular character of Odysseus, the film also features Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, Anne Hathaway as Penelope – the wife of Odysseus, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Zendaya as the Greek goddess Athena, Charlize Theron as the witch and minor goddess Circe and others.
The plot follows Homer’s grand poem – tracking Odysseus’ ten-year struggle to return to Ithaca following the fall of Troy. The film will shift between intense, mythic battles – like the face-off with the Cyclops Polyphemus and the lure of the Sirens – and the raw, human drama of a family torn apart by years of war.
Shot entirely with 70mm IMAX cameras across global locations like Italy and the Sahara, the production is being hailed as Nolan’s most ambitious visual project since Oppenheimer. The ensemble cast is rounded out by Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal as King Menelaus, Benny Safdie as Agamemnon, and John Leguizamo. The Odyssey is scheduled for a major theatrical release on July 17, 2026.