🔗 Share this article Watch the Director's The Odyssey Preview the Way It Wasn't Meant for Viewing. The acclaimed filmmaker's legendary action saga, The Odyssey, is a film we've been eagerly awaiting since its announcement. It firmly sits among the most hotly anticipated motion pictures coming next year. In a festive surprise, a preview has now been released, even if it's compromised due to the platform's low-quality encoding—maybe illustrating why Nolan initially kept the preview exclusive to cinemas. The Initial Look at the Legendary Cast This first look showcases Matt Damon portraying Odysseus. We also see Tom Holland playing the son alongside Anne Hathaway as Penelope. In a poignant moment, Penelope asks Odysseus to promise he will return, to which he respond by asking what occurs should he fail. The trailer also offers a brief, shadowy glimpse of the mythical one-eyed giant, from whom sheep are are taken by the hero and his men during their arduous journey. Based upon a foundational pillar of Western literature, The Odyssey chronicles the lengthy quest undertaken by the famed ruler. After his triumph at Troy, as told in Homer's Iliad, the king faces an extended and hazardous return to his homeland. Mythical Encounters and a Star-Studded Lineup Along his path, Odysseus confronts countless challenges and legendary creatures. These include the witch-goddess Circe, known for turning humans into pigs, as well as the treacherous Sirens. Despite these trials, his sworn oath is to overcome anything to get back to his wife and son in Ithaca. The adaptation's cast is remarkably star-studded. Alongside the leading trio is Charlize Theron as the cunning Circe, alongside Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal. A Story Repeatedly Told The classic poem has seen many reinterpretations throughout history. These range from modern retellings to a 1999 ballet. There has even been adapted into a musical titled Epic: The Musical, released in the form of a multi-part album series. A full-length preview has been highly anticipated following the project's reveal and a short teaser clip which was initially shown exclusively in theaters. That footage subsequently found its way onto the internet soon after. To see a clearer version, the preview available via the film's official social channel may provide enhanced visual quality. The Odyssey is scheduled for release on global IMAX screens on July 17, 2026.