🔗 Share this article Watch the Director's The Odyssey Trailer the Way It Wasn't Meant for Viewing. The acclaimed filmmaker's mythic action epic, The Odyssey, is a film we've been eagerly awaiting ever since it was revealed. It firmly sits among the most hotly anticipated films of 2026. In a festive surprise, a preview has now been released, even if it's compromised by YouTube's poor compression—maybe illustrating why Nolan initially kept the trailer solely for theatrical audiences. The Initial Look of the Stellar Ensemble This first look reveals Matt Damon portraying Odysseus. We also see Tom Holland as Telemachus and Anne Hathaway depicting the loyal wife. During an emotional scene, the character pleads with her husband to vow he will return, to which he look up and question what occurs should he fail. The trailer also offers a brief, shadowy glimpse at Polyphemus the Cyclops, whose flock Odysseus and his crew steal during their arduous journey. Based upon a foundational pillar in classic storytelling, The Odyssey follows the epic journey undertaken by the famed ruler. After his triumph at Troy, as told within the companion epic, the king faces a long and perilous return to his homeland. Mythical Encounters with an All-Star Cast Along his path, the hero encounters countless challenges and legendary creatures. These include the witch-goddess Circe, who transforms men into swine, and the deceptive Sirens. Despite these trials, Odysseus vows to overcome anything to reunite with Penelope and Telemachus on his home island. The adaptation's cast is remarkably star-studded. Joining Damon, Holland, and Hathaway is Charlize Theron portraying the shrewd goddess, alongside Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal. A Story Repeatedly Told The classic poem has inspired numerous adaptations throughout history. Examples include contemporary versions to a 1999 ballet. It has even been adapted into a musical called Epic: The Musical, presented as a nine-album collection. A full-length preview has been highly anticipated since the film's announcement and a short teaser clip that previously played only on the big screen. That footage subsequently found its way online shortly thereafter. To see a clearer version, the preview available via the movie's verified account may provide a better, clearer look. The Odyssey is scheduled for release on global IMAX screens on July 17, 2026.