Zendaya’s Stunning Transformation as Athena Revealed in New The Odyssey Set Photos!

Recently surfaced set photos from Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, “The Odyssey,” reveal Zendaya in her Athena costume for the first time. This provides a tangible glimpse of how the goddess of wisdom will be portrayed in the $250 million production that is currently being filmed in Italy. The pictures show the actress dressed in a flowing white toga with traditional Greek styling, making her previously announced role tangible alongside Matt Damon, who sports a long beard and aged appearance as the battle-weary Odysseus. These set photos underscore the classical aesthetic that Nolan has chosen for this adaptation, solidifying the film’s historical setting in ancient Greece. The representation of Athena, who protects Odysseus during his ten-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, offers the most definitive look yet at the production’s interpretation of the mythological aspects integral to Homer’s epic poem.

The images seem to depict a scenario that echoes Athena’s meeting with Odysseus upon his return to Ithaca, a significant event in Homer’s Odyssey. In Book 13 of the epic, this crucial encounter takes place as Odysseus wakes up on the shores of Ithaca. At first, Athena alters the scenery so that Odysseus doesn’t recognize his homeland. She then shows herself to him initially in the guise of a young shepherd before unveiling her divine form. During this reunion, Athena informs Odysseus about the state of his kingdom, explains the suitors occupying his palace, and aids in devising their downfall. She also changes Odysseus’ appearance to that of an old beggar, helping him blend incognito as he plots his revenge in Ithaca.

Exclusive Backstage Snaps Revealed from Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Production Starring Matt Damon, Zendaya, and Director Christopher Nolan

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Latest Unseen Photos: A Glimpse into the Making of Christopher Nolan’s Movie The Odyssey with Stars Matt Damon, Zendaya, and Christopher Nolan

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Freshly Leaked Pictures: The Real Scene from Christopher Nolan’s Film The Odyssey Starring Matt Damon, Zendaya, and Director Christopher Nolan

These options aim to maintain the original meaning while using more natural and easy-to-read language.

— The Film Nation (@thefilmnation) March 27, 2025

In Zendaya’s costume for the upcoming project, the white gown resembles the way Greek deities are often depicted in traditional artwork. However, set photos don’t reveal any details about the character’s behavior or special abilities that might be showcased in the movie. This role in “The Odyssey” is a notable one for Zendaya after her work in “Dune: Part Two” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe “Spider-Man” series, as it requires both commanding presence and subtlety. It’s intriguing to think about how she will handle this complex character.

Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

After his Academy Award victory with the film “Oppenheimer”, Christopher Nolan is said to have obtained a $250 million budget from Universal Pictures for his upcoming project, “The Odyssey”. This makes it his costliest production to date. Filming for “The Odyssey” started in February 2025, with various locations such as Morocco, the United Kingdom, and the Aeolian Islands in Italy being used. Among these, Favignana is particularly significant because it was one of the landing spots for Odysseus in the original poem. The production timeline stretches through late summer, providing ample time for post-production before the movie’s planned premiere on July 17, 2026.

In this production, Nolan has brought together his long-time collaborators alongside fresh talent. Matt Damon, who was in both Interstellar and the upcoming film Oppenheimer, plays the lead role as Odysseus. Tom Holland is seen on set filming scenes related to Telemachus’ voyage, which is the journey of Odysseus’ son who seeks his father. Veteran actress Anne Hathaway seems to be taking on the character of Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, as she has worked with Nolan in The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar. Other cast members include Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, and Benny Safdie. The roles for most of these actors have yet to be officially confirmed.

The narrative closely mirrors Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey,” chronicling Odysseus’s 10-year journey back home after the Trojan War. In his absence, his wife Penelope bravely fends off persistent suitors, while their son Telemachus sets out on a personal quest to find his father. The narrative encounters legendary mythological beings such as Polyphemus the Cyclops, Circe the enchantress, Calypso and the Sirens, and the monsters Scylla and Charybdis, all while grappling with Poseidon’s anger. It remains to be seen what fantastical elements Nolan will incorporate in his adaptation of “The Odyssey.

The Odyssey sails into theaters on July 17, 2026.

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2025-03-28 12:40