The Odyssey — An all-star cast for next adaptation of Homer’s epic

Homer’s The Odyssey is the kind of subject that is more appropriate for a multi-season television series, like something along the lines of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, where celebrated literary content has so far garnered a worthy adaptation. Nobody has yet done justice to Homer on the big screen, but director Christopher Nolan is giving it a try in the entirely IMAX-filmed The Odyssey. It boasts an all-star cast largely composed of superhero actors–award-winners, too, but check out that roster: Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo–even star Matt Damon was in both the Thor and Deadpool movies, too. There’s Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, and Mia Goth, before you get to the supporting cast. Filmed in Morocco, Italy, Greece, and Iceland, it is a big, expensive effort. Damon is in the lead as Odysseus. The last time he did something like this was The Great Wall (reviewed here), which was a success overseas, but not domestically.

How will this fare? The supernatural elements are largely held back in this trailer in favor of glimpses at that huge familiar cast. But even with improvements in moviemaking can you really compete with Ray Harryhausen? Check out this look at Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: