Christopher Nolan and ‘The Odyssey’ Stars Talk Epic Blockbuster

This video features TODAY show reporter Kaylee Hartung interviewing director Christopher Nolan and the cast of his latest blockbuster, The Odyssey. The film, adapted from Homer's ancient epic, marks a massive cinematic undertaking that has been a passion project for Nolan for 20 years.

Key Highlights:

• Production Scale: The film is the first Hollywood movie shot entirely on IMAX 70mm film (2:25). The cast described the experience as challenging but rewarding, with Matt Damon calling it the best experience of his career (2:10).
• The Cast:
  • Matt Damon portrays the hero Odysseus (1:14).
  • Anne Hathaway plays his loyal wife, Penelope (1:36).
  • Tom Holland stars as Odysseus's son, Telemachus (2:59).
  • Zendaya joins a Nolan film for the first time as the goddess Athena (3:26).
  • Robert Pattinson plays one of the suitors, Antinous (5:06).
  • Lupita Nyong'o is also featured in the ensemble (5:21).
• Behind the Scenes: The production was a global endeavor, filming over 91 days across six countries, including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, and Scotland (5:46, 6:28).
• Directing Style: Nolan noted that he doesn't cast actors with specific roles in mind while writing, but rather discovers the characters first (1:02). The cast also shared humorous anecdotes about Zendaya being referred to as "perfect" on set after her first take (4:25).

The film is scheduled to be released next week (6:49).

The Odyssey director Christopher Nolan on the challenges of reviving the ancient story

In this interview with ITV News, director Christopher Nolan and actor Matt Damon discuss the creative challenges and technical innovations behind the production of their new film, The Odyssey (0:30-1:07).

Key takeaways from the discussion:

• Adapting an Epic: Nolan explains that after the success of Oppenheimer, he sought a story that had not yet been fully realized for modern cinema. Tackling a 3,000-year-old classic involved balancing immense logistical scale with a commitment to authentic, tactile filmmaking (1:07-2:58).
• Practical Filmmaking: The team emphasized a "keep it real" philosophy, utilizing massive practical sets in Morocco—including a full-scale model of a horse—to provide a textured, immersive experience for both the actors and the audience, rather than relying heavily on CGI (1:36-3:08).
• Technical Innovation: Nolan continues his pioneering use of IMAX 70mm film. Since standard IMAX cameras are notoriously loud, the production worked with IMAX to develop a new blimping system (a sound-dampening high-tech box), allowing them to capture entire scenes with high-fidelity sound for the first time (8:01-8:45).
• Perspective on Industry Trends: Both Nolan and Damon address the rise of AI in the industry. Nolan argues that while AI offers new tools for filmmakers, it cannot replace the unique value of human creativity or the "analog texture" of traditional filmmaking. They also discuss the enduring appeal of the cinema experience, noting that despite evolving viewing habits, there remains a constant human appetite for shared, large-screen storytelling (4:25-6:08, 9:52-11:13).
• Honoring the Material: Reflecting on his experience with The Dark Knight trilogy, Nolan notes that the key to adapting established literature is giving a "sincere effort to honor the original" by interpreting the story in a way that is personal and as strong as possible (7:03-7:40).