The Odyssey Cast: Every Actor in Nolan’s Epic & Which Character They Play

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Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey retells the classic story by Homer. It follows King Odysseus’s long and difficult journey back to his home on the island of Ithaca after the Trojan War. Due to the interference of the gods, his voyage is filled with hardship, loss, and captivity, delaying his return to his wife, Penelope, for many years.

Okay, so everyone knows Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway as his wife, Penelope, and Tom Holland as their son, Telemachus. But what’s really fascinating is just how packed this movie is with major stars. It’s not just the leads – Nolan has gone all-out, filling the film with a huge number of Hollywood’s biggest names and most talented actors. It’s a real who’s who!

Here’s a list of the actors in The Odyssey, with a little about who they are and the characters they play.

Odysseus (Matt Damon)

Okay, so “The Odyssey” basically kicks off with Odysseus, this incredibly clever king from Ithaca, being a total rockstar during the Trojan War. But the real story isn’t the war itself; it’s his epic journey home. See, while he was off fighting, a bunch of arrogant guys started trying to woo his wife, Penelope, and basically take over his kingdom. The whole movie—or book, if you’re familiar—is about his desperate struggle to get back to her and reclaim what’s rightfully his before it’s too late. It’s a real nail-biter!

Matt Damon is a hugely popular actor who’s been a major star for many years. He’s appeared in Christopher Nolan’s films Interstellar and Oppenheimer before, but this marks the first time Nolan has cast him as the lead.

Penelope (Anne Hathaway)

In Homer’s Odyssey, Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, plays a significant role. After her husband is gone for ten years and presumed dead, many suitors arrive, hoping to marry her and claim the throne of Ithaca. Penelope and her son attempt to fend off these suitors and pray to the gods for assistance, but the situation escalates from romantic advances to a serious political power grab.

As a movie fan, I’ve loved watching Anne Hathaway grow up on screen – from classics like The Princess Diaries to sharp comedies like The Devil Wears Prada (and I’m already excited for the sequel coming out in 2026!). I also really admire her work with Christopher Nolan; her Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises was fantastic, and she was brilliant in Interstellar too.

Telemachus (Tom Holland)

Odysseus’s son, Telemachus, refuses to passively wait for news of his father. He actively gets involved in politics to defend his father’s kingdom from those trying to take it over. But more importantly, Telemachus asks the gods for help in finding and safeguarding Odysseus on his journey home, and this plea significantly influences what happens next.

Tom Holland is best known for his role as Spider-Man in the recent Marvel and Sony films. While he’s taken on other leading roles, like in Uncharted, his upcoming project, The Odyssey, is poised to be his most significant and acclaimed work outside of the superhero franchise. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day scheduled for release in 2026, Holland’s popularity and earning potential are likely to increase even further.

Agamemnon (Benny Safdie)

Agamemnon commanded the Greek forces during the Trojan War and was a powerful, ambitious leader. In Homer’s Iliad, he launched the war to avenge his brother Menelaus, whose wife Helen was taken by the Trojan prince Paris. The conflict lasted a decade and ultimately resulted in the destruction of Troy, famously achieved through the Trojan Horse – an event that sets the stage for the story told in Nolan’s The Odyssey.

Bennie Safdie is quickly becoming a major name in Hollywood. He’s recently appeared in films like Oppenheimer and Happy Gilmore 2, and he wrote and directed the critically acclaimed Uncut Gems and the recent Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson biopic, The Smashing Machine. His next role, Agamemnon, will be a departure from anything he’s done before.

Menelaus (Jon Bernthal)

Menelaus is the king of Sparta. The Trojan War began when Paris, a Trojan prince, stole his wife, Helen, and Menelaus sought to get her back. As the war concludes, the story of the Odyssey begins, and Menelaus still holds significant power in Greece. His support could be crucial for Odysseus’s claim to the throne.

Jon Bernthal is famous for his roles as Shane on The Walking Dead and Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s set to reprise his role as The Punisher alongside Tom Holland in the upcoming Spider-Man movie, Brand New Day, scheduled for summer 2026, and will also star in a standalone Marvel special presentation soon.

Athena (Zendaya)

Zendaya is a hugely popular actress and fashion icon, famous for her roles in the HBO series Euphoria (with a new season expected in 2026), the Spider-Man movies alongside her partner Tom Holland, and the Dune films (a third movie is currently being made). She’s now set to play Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts, in The Odyssey, where she’ll help and protect Odysseus on his adventures.

Circe (Charlize Theron)

Charlize Theron, the Academy Award-winning actress known for films like Monster, The Devil’s Advocate, and Snow White and the Huntsman, will play the goddess and witch Circe in The Odyssey. Circe is famous for turning men into animals, often pigs. Theron is a perfect choice for this iconic role.

Antinous (Robert Pattinson)

Penelope will face many suitors, and Robert Pattinson will play one of the most troublesome, Antinous. In Homer’s original story, Antinous is the leader of the suitors and a major threat – he abuses Odysseus’s hospitality and endangers his family. Pattinson has worked with director Christopher Nolan before on the film Tenet, and he’s famous for his roles in The Twilight Saga and as Batman in recent DC films.

Melantho (Mia Goth)

Mia Goth, known for her work in horror films like the Pearl trilogy and the recent Frankenstein movie, plays Melantho, a servant to Penelope, who is portrayed by Anne Hathaway.

Odysseus’s Men

John Leguizamo, known from Spawn, will play Eumaeus, a key companion to Odysseus. Himesh Patel (Tenet), Jimmy Gonzales, and Will Yun Lee (The Wolverine) are also joining the cast as members of Odysseus’s crew. While more familiar faces might appear in the traveling group, those actors haven’t been announced yet.

Mystery Roles

Lupita Nyong’o, known for her role in Black Panther, is joining the cast of The Odyssey, though her specific role is currently unknown. She’s one of many actors with undisclosed parts in the film. Other cast members include Elliot Page (Umbrella Academy), Samantha Morton (The Walking Dead), Jesse Garcia (Narcos: Mexico), Rafi Gavron (A Star Is Born), Shiloh Fernandez (Evil Dead), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton), Nick E. Tarabay (Spartacus), Maurice Compte (Narcos), Michael Vlamis (Roswell, New Mexico), Iddo Goldberg (Snowpiercer), Josh Stewart (Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar, Tenet), Ryan Hurst (Sons of Anarchy), Anthony Molinari, Jovan Adepo (Overlord), Logan Marshall-Green (Prometheus), and James Remar (It: Welcome to Derry).

The Odyssey will hit theaters and IMAX on July 17, 2026. Talk to us about it on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-23 03:12