The prospect of Christopher Nolan directing The Odyssey is already thrilling, but it’s his meticulously chosen cast that truly sets the project apart. Beyond big names, Nolan has selected actors who fully embody these mythical characters, bringing unexpected depth and nuance to every role. From gods and monsters to loyal companions and long-suffering family members, this retelling promises a version of The Odyssey that feels modern, human, and emotionally resonant. Here’s a closer look at the most exciting castings and why each actor seems perfectly suited to their character.
15. Charlize Theron as Athena
Athena is the quiet architect of Odysseus’ survival—the goddess of wisdom who thinks several steps ahead while others rush headlong into chaos. Strategic, formidable, and deeply involved in human affairs, she intervenes at crucial moments with subtle yet decisive influence, shaping events in ways that are as clever as they are impactful.
Charlize Theron feels born for this role. She has the kind of commanding presence that can convey intelligence and authority without raising her voice, and her history of playing powerful, battle-hardened figures makes her a natural Athena. With Theron, every glance and calculated move could feel like divine chess in motion.
14. Mia Goth as Ino
Ino is one of the quieter but most mysterious figures in The Odyssey. Once mortal, now divine, she appears at Odysseus’ lowest moment to save him from drowning, offering help that feels both merciful and otherworldly.
Mia Goth’s uncanny screen presence makes her a compelling choice. She excels at roles that blur the line between fragility and menace, which suits Ino’s liminal nature perfectly. Even a brief appearance could feel haunting, lingering long after the scene ends.
13. Will Yun Lee as Amphinomus
Among Penelope’s many suitors, Amphinomus stands apart. He’s thoughtful, restrained, and capable of empathy, qualities that make his fate all the more tragic. He represents the idea that decency alone isn’t enough to escape destiny.
Will Yun Lee brings the exact kind of quiet intensity this role needs. His ability to communicate internal conflict without grand gestures could turn Amphinomus into one of the film’s most emotionally complex side characters, rather than just another name on a list.
12. Jon Bernthal as Antinous
Antinous is arrogance incarnate, the loudest, cruelest, and most entitled of Penelope’s suitors. He embodies everything rotten about the occupation of Ithaca during Odysseus’s absence, making him the perfect lightning rod for audience hatred.
Jon Bernthal thrives in roles that demand raw aggression and simmering cruelty. His Antinous won’t just be a villain; he’ll be a presence that dominates scenes and makes his eventual downfall deeply satisfying. Few actors make this watchable.
11. John Leguizamo as Eumaeus
Eumaeus is the emotional backbone of The Odyssey. A loyal servant and surrogate family member, he remains steadfast even when hope seems foolish. His loyalty contrasts sharply with the betrayal Odysseus finds elsewhere.
John Leguizamo’s warmth and humanity make him ideal for this role. He has a gift for grounding epic stories in emotional reality, and his Eumaeus will likely serve as a reminder that loyalty, not power, is what ultimately restores Ithaca.
10. Elliot Page as Hermes
Hermes is the ultimate go-between: messenger of the gods, trickster, and guide for lost souls. He’s fast-thinking, sharp-tongued, and always slightly amused by the chaos of mortals.
Elliot Page brings intelligence and kinetic energy that suit Hermes beautifully. Page can balance humor with sincerity, making Hermes feel playful without being frivolous, a god who enjoys the game but understands its stakes.
9. Zendaya as Calypso
Calypso represents temptation without cruelty. Her island is paradise, her love sincere, and her offer immortality nearly irresistible. What makes her tragic is not malice, but longing.
Zendaya’s emotional depth makes her perfect for this role. She can convey longing, isolation, and desire with subtlety, making Calypso’s relationship with Odysseus feel genuinely complicated rather than purely seductive.
8. Bill Irwin as Laertes
Laertes, Odysseus’ father, is a hero who has already lived his legend. When we meet him, he’s broken by grief and time, clinging to the past in isolation.
Bill Irwin has the gravitas to make Laertes’ quiet despair feel monumental. His reunion with Odysseus could be one of the film’s most tender moments, reminding us that the cost of heroism doesn’t end with victory.
7. Samantha Morton as Anticleia
Anticleia appears only briefly, but her presence cuts deep. Encountered in the underworld, she reveals how Odysseus’ absence devastated those he loved most.
Samantha Morton is a devastatingly effective choice. Her ability to communicate sorrow and wisdom in minimal screen time ensures that this moment will land with emotional force, anchoring Odysseus’ journey in personal loss.
6. Robert Pattinson as Achilles’ Ghost
Achilles’ appearance in The Odyssey reframes heroism itself. Once the greatest warrior alive, he now regrets trading a long life for glory.
Robert Pattinson’s introspective intensity makes him ideal for this role. He can embody both mythic stature and existential regret, turning this encounter into one of the story’s most philosophical moments.
5. Himesh Patel as Aeolus
Aeolus offers Odysseus one of his closest chances at home, only for it to unravel through human error. His role highlights the limits of divine generosity.
Himesh Patel’s calm authority suits the wind god perfectly. He can play Aeolus as a benevolent yet resigned deity who understands that fate will always find a way.
4. Corey Hawkins as Poseidon
Poseidon isn’t just an antagonist; he’s a force of nature fueled by wounded pride. His grudge defines Odysseus’ suffering and gives the epic its relentless momentum.
Corey Hawkins has the commanding presence needed to make Poseidon terrifying without exaggeration. His performance could make every storm feel intentional, personal, and unstoppable.
3. Benny Safdie as Polyphemus
Polyphemus is monstrous, but not mindless. His encounter with Odysseus is a brutal lesson in hubris and consequence.
Benny Safdie’s unpredictable energy makes him a fascinating choice. He can bring humor, rage, and vulnerability to the Cyclops, making the episode unsettling rather than purely fantastical.
2. Lupita Nyong’o as Circe
Circe is power wrapped in allure, dangerous, seductive, and ultimately transformative. Her island tests Odysseus’ will in ways brute force never could.
Lupita Nyong’o’s magnetic presence ensures Circe will be unforgettable. She can shift effortlessly between menace and compassion, making this chapter one of the film’s most psychologically rich.
1. Tom Holland as Telemachus
Telemachus begins as a boy overshadowed by absence and expectation. His journey toward confidence mirrors his father’s in quieter, more vulnerable ways.
Tom Holland’s sincerity and emotional openness make him ideal for the role. He can capture the uncertainty of youth while growing into quiet strength, giving the story a powerful generational arc.
Anne Hathaway as Penelope
Penelope is the unsung strategist of The Odyssey. While Odysseus battles monsters abroad, she wages a war of patience and intellect at home.
Anne Hathaway’s ability to blend warmth with resolve makes her a perfect Penelope. Her portrayal promises a woman who survives not by force, but by intelligence and emotional endurance.
Matt Damon as Odysseus (Confirmed)
Odysseus is clever, flawed, stubborn, and endlessly human, a hero who survives through wit as much as strength. His journey is the spine of the epic.
Matt Damon’s grounded intensity makes him a natural fit. He has the gravitas to carry Nolan’s vision while keeping Odysseus relatable, anchoring myth in human struggle.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is shaping up to be less about spectacle alone and more about character, consequence, and endurance. This cast suggests a myth told with emotional precision, where gods feel personal, and heroes feel painfully human. If these performances land the way they promise to, Nolan’s take on Homer’s epic won’t just be another adaptation—it’ll be a defining one.