Christopher Nolan Shot 2 Million Feet of Film on ‘The Odyssey’

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Christopher Nolan used “over two million feet of film” to shoot The Odyssey.

The upcoming 2026 fantasy film will be based on Homer’s classic Greek story. It’s the first movie from the 55-year-old director since his 2023 hit, Oppenheimer, and he’s now shared how much effort he put into capturing the epic scope of the tale.

In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, he explained that filming took place over the past four months with the actors who play Odysseus’s crew actually at sea, in the locations the story takes place. He described the ocean as immense, sometimes frightening, but also beautiful and kind, as the weather constantly changed.

We aimed to show just how challenging those travels were for people back then, and the incredible risk they took venturing into a completely unknown world.

Christopher Nolan, director of The Dark Knight, described filming on the open ocean as a “very basic” experience. He also mentioned that the main filming for The Odyssey took 91 days.

Nolan shared that he decided to make a movie based on The Odyssey because he felt there was a void in what movies typically offer audiences.

He said: “There’s a bit of everything in it. I mean, it truly contains all stories.

Filmmakers are always searching for fresh ideas – stories or approaches that haven’t been explored in movies yet.

Growing up, I loved classic fantasy films with amazing special effects, like those by Ray Harryhausen. But I always felt those kinds of stories could be even more impactful with a large budget and the scale of a modern Hollywood, IMAX production. I hadn’t seen anyone really bring that level of weight and believability to the genre before.

The movie The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, and tells the story of his difficult journey home after the Trojan War. He faces mythical creatures, angry gods, and the repercussions of his past decisions along the way.

While Odysseus is away, his wife Penelope and son Telemachus (played by Tom Holland) struggle to keep their kingdom safe, hoping for his eventual return, though they fear he may never come home.

Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, and Elliot Page also appear in The Odyssey. Elliot Page recently shared that it was a pleasure to work with director Christopher Nolan again on The Odyssey, as they previously collaborated on the 2010 film Inception.

The 38-year-old actor shared at New York Comic Con that he was thrilled to be considered for the role in The Odyssey and to have the opportunity to work with the director again.

Working on Inception was a fantastic experience, and I really enjoyed being involved in the film. I was thrilled when I met with Chris to discuss the role, and reading the script was a true pleasure. It was wonderful to revisit that project.

It’s great to be back, and honestly, feeling more confident makes projects like this much more fun. Getting to work on something like a Christopher Nolan film again was incredibly rewarding for me, and I was really excited about it.

Awesome Cartoons That Deserve Live-Action Movie Adaptations

The Powerpuff Girls

Honestly, I was relieved when The CW’s live-action Powerpuff Girls series fell apart. Everything I heard about it sounded terrible – a really cynical and gritty take on the characters, like turning Bubbles into someone with an alcohol problem? It just felt disrespectful to the original Cartoon Network show, which was so cleverly made and empowering. But, and I might be crazy for saying this, I think a movie could actually work. As long as it captures the heart and fun of the original, it doesn’t need to be dark and edgy. The upcoming Superman movie in 2025 seems to be proving that – it’s good to see a return to genuine, hopeful storytelling!

Samurai Jack

Many consider Samurai Jack to be one of the best animated series ever made, thanks to its mature themes and emotionally complex storytelling. The show follows a noble samurai, haunted by loss, who is unexpectedly thrown into the future by a powerful demon. While the original animation is already exceptional and doesn’t necessarily need a remake, a live-action adaptation could offer a unique take on the popular dystopian genre. (Though Hollywood, please don’t cast Tom Cruise as the samurai this time around.)

Daria

Even though Daria first aired on MTV in the late 90s and early 2000s, the show still resonates with audiences today because it perfectly captures the craziness of high school. Daria, the famously cynical and dry-witted teenager, remains a beloved animated character for many different generations. The show’s setting, quirky characters, and relatable everyday situations would fit right in with teen comedies like Ghost World or Booksmart. Fans have long hoped for a live-action version, but it hasn’t happened yet – which, fittingly, Daria herself would probably expect.

Danny Phantom

Although Butch Hartman’s popular cartoon The Fairly OddParents got a lot of sequels, spin-offs, and merchandise, I believe his series Danny Phantom was actually stronger. Many dedicated fans feel the same way. That’s why Danny Phantom, which aired from 2004 to 2007, remains so beloved and continues to gain new fans. The show, about a high schooler who becomes a ghost-fighting hero after an accident, expertly blends teenage drama with universal themes of growing up, exciting weekly adventures, and a larger, ongoing storyline—making it ideal for a modern, live-action remake.

Courage the Cowardy Dog

The popularity of the 2025 indie horror film Good Boy shows people enjoy spooky stories involving dogs – as long as the dog is okay! With that in mind, Cartoon Network’s Courage the Cowardly Dog – a uniquely strange and surprisingly touching animated series – could work really well as a live-action show with the right creative team. The key would be to maintain the show’s unsettling, supernatural atmosphere and, importantly, use a real dog instead of relying on CGI.

Gargoyles

While a live-action Kim Possible movie didn’t quite hit the mark, let’s talk about Gargoyles. This fantastic, but often overlooked, ’90s cartoon deserves a second look. It follows a group of medieval gargoyles, cursed and awakened in modern-day New York City by a billionaire hungry for power. Gargoyles stood out for its surprisingly dark and complex storytelling, feeling more like a serious superhero drama than a typical Disney cartoon. Its themes – found family, prejudice, the battle between good and evil, and concerns about corporate control and technology – feel incredibly relevant today. With advancements in special effects, a skilled director could truly bring these characters, like the powerful Goliath, to life on screen, and the show’s unique blend of futuristic and fantasy elements could offer something new to the superhero movie genre.

The Wild Thornberrys

While The Wild Thornberrys wasn’t quite as popular as Rugrats, another show from the same animation studio, it was still a heartwarming and exciting series. The show followed a family of wildlife filmmakers and their daughter, who had the amazing ability to talk to animals. The 2002 Wild Thornberrys Movie proved the concept works well on the big screen, and I believe a new live-action version could be fantastic. It could deliver an exciting story with a relevant message about protecting our planet.

Batman Beyond

Given the many different Batman films we’ve seen—from big, tech-focused adventures to dark, detective stories—it’s surprising a live-action movie based on Batman Beyond hasn’t happened yet, especially since it was first proposed over 20 years ago. This series, set in the future, reimagines Batman with a rebellious teenager as the new apprentice to an older Bruce Wayne, and often explores even darker themes than previous versions. With its futuristic, cyberpunk style, focus on younger audiences, and dedicated fanbase, it begs the question: DC, why haven’t you made this movie?

Hey Arnold!

Honestly, Hey Arnold! doesn’t need changing, but a movie with a good budget and the right feel could be a really sweet and nostalgic look at growing up. It could be set entirely in the show’s city of Hillwood, or have a bigger scope like The Jungle Movie – the important thing is that the characters stay true to life and their connections with each other remain strong. I think keeping it in the ’90s and aiming for a vibe similar to The Sandlot would be perfect. Many millennials are longing for those warm, family-friendly movies we enjoyed as kids.

The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

Shows like Wednesday and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina have shown there’s a big appetite for spooky but accessible supernatural stories. A live-action version of Cartoon Network’s The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy could be a perfect fit. The cartoon centers around two kids who somehow make the Grim Reaper their eternal friend, and with the right approach, it could become a funny and heartwarming movie like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

South Park

It’s rare to see a truly edgy movie aimed at kids, and for good reason. But when it’s done well, like with the 2019 film Good Boys, it can be surprisingly effective, blending the awkwardness of growing up with a bit of rebellious humor. Considering its memorable characters, detailed world-building, and potential for both realistic and outlandish storylines, the long-running cultural phenomenon South Park seems ripe for an R-rated live-action movie. I think it would work best if the characters were slightly older—maybe middle schoolers—and the humor focused more on dark comedy than simply being shocking.

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2025-11-14 18:58