Newly leaked set photos from Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film adaptation of The Odyssey have unveiled Zendaya in the role of Athena. The images show her in a traditional Greek-style white toga, providing the first glimpse of how the goddess of wisdom will be portrayed in this $250 million epic. Filming is ongoing in Italy, with the photos also featuring Matt Damon as a grizzled Odysseus, displaying the war hero’s aged and weary appearance. This striking visual aligns with the classical aesthetic Nolan has chosen for this adaptation, anchoring the story firmly in ancient Greece.
The photos capture what seems to be an interaction between Athena and Odysseus that mirrors events from Homer’s original text. In Book 13 of the epic poem, Athena disguises the landscape to prevent Odysseus from recognizing Ithaca immediately and first appears to him as a young shepherd, later revealing her true divine form. As Odysseus’s divine protector, Athena aids him in understanding the turmoil within his kingdom, the intrusion of suitors in his palace, and the plans necessary to reclaim his home, even transforming him into an old beggar to navigate Ithaca undetected.
The white toga seen in the set photos is consistent with the classical portrayal of Greek deities. Although the images focus on Zendaya’s costume, they hint at how Christopher Nolan will bring the mythical world to life on screen. This role marks a significant challenge for Zendaya, following her work in Dune: Part Two and the Spider-Man films, demanding authority and nuance as Athena.
With the creative vision of Christopher Nolan following his Oscar-winning film Oppenheimer, The Odyssey boasts an impressive budget secured through Universal Pictures, making it his most costly film yet. Principal filming kicked off in February 2025 across locations in Morocco, the United Kingdom, and the Italian Aeolian Islands. These include Favignana, an island linked to one of Odysseus’s epic landings. With production expecting to wrap by late summer, the movie is on schedule for its July 17, 2026 premiere.
The film features an ensemble cast blending Nolan’s regular collaborators with fresh talent. Matt Damon reprises his collaborator role from Interstellar and Oppenheimer as Odysseus. Photos captured Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, during boat scenes that reflect his quest to find his father. Anne Hathaway, known for her roles in The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar, is anticipated to play Penelope, Odysseus’s steadfast wife. Other notable actors include Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, and Benny Safdie, with most roles yet to be officially confirmed.
The storyline follows Homer’s epic poem, documenting Odysseus’s turbulent journey home after the Trojan War. At Ithaca, Penelope fends off suitors while Telemachus searches for Odysseus. The narrative incorporates mythical figures and creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Circe, Calypso, the Sirens, and the fearsome duo Scylla and Charybdis. The full extent of fantastic elements in Nolan’s film remains a mystery, keeping audiences eagerly speculating.
The Odyssey is set to enchant audiences when it sets sail in theaters on July 17, 2026. Fans and moviegoers are eagerly anticipating how Zendaya will bring depth and dynamism to her portrayal of Athena in this epic tale. What do you think of Zendaya’s role as Athena in The Odyssey? Let us know in the comments!
