As one of the most prominent directors of his generation, Christopher Nolan is known for helping to propel more unknown actors to stardom and showing new sides of well-known performers in his movies. Since the news of Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey broke, I’ve been thinking about what actors he should tap to star in the project. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey already has a stacked cast, with huge names like Zendaya, Matt Damon, and Lupita Nyong’o already attached. However, I know that a sweeping tale like The Odyssey will require a large ensemble cast. Even if Nolan doesn’t work with these actors in The Odyssey, I know he’ll have another exciting project on the heels of this one.
After seeing Cillian Murphy win for Oppenheimer after working with Nolan for many years, I thought of how many performers have been singled out for their work in his projects. Many of these actors are veterans who would lend their authority and expertise to Nolan’s filmography, while others are smaller stars who are at a pivotal moment in their careers. Regardless, I can see how working with Nolan would bolster both the filmmaker and these artists.
I was somewhat surprised to discover that Viola Davis and Christopher Nolan have never worked together, as Davis is undoubtedly one of the best actresses of her generation. One of the few performers to earn an EGOT, Davis shines in television, film, on stage, and pretty much every artistic project she sets her mind to. At this point in her career, Davis only takes on roles she’s genuinely passionate about, so Nolan would have to come to her with an unforgettable project. Given that The Odyssey is an adaptation with fantasy elements, Davis would be an incredible name to add to the cast of Nolan’s next movie.
Recently, I was excited to hear that Davis has been tapped to star in the Children of Blood and Bone movie adaptation. This is similar to her role in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and shows that Davis might be interested in working on more literary adaptations. With the complexity of The Odyssey’s narrative, her involvement could bring a significant depth to Nolan’s storytelling.
After playing the secretive and unscrupulous Jack in The White Lotus season 2, Leo Woodall pivoted to embody the pinnacle of a romantic leading man as Dex in Netflix’s One Day. Though these characters couldn’t be more different, I had no trouble believing Woodall in both TV shows. Since The White Lotus, Woodall’s star has been on the rise, with his upcoming role in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy generating interest in his future in film. Woodall falls in line with the type of actor that Nolan typically casts in his movies, as he’s British and early enough in his career that Nolan could collaborate with him many times over.
After proving himself in several of these prestige television shows, it’s time for Woodall to cement himself as a movie actor and take on a project that doesn’t further his typecasting as a romantic interest. Woodall has even expressed interest in working with Nolan in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, which reflects his desire to expand his repertoire in the industry.
I was swept away by Monica Barbaro when I saw her in A Complete Unknown. Though Timothée Chalamet has the most screen time in the Bob Dylan biopic, Barbaro stole every scene she was in as Joan Baez. However, the actress isn’t just skilled at portraying emotionally rich moments; she is also engaging in the action genre. Some of her early work in Top Gun: Maverick and the TV series FUBAR demonstrates Barbaro’s versatility, making her a perfect fit for a Nolan movie.
As 2025 quickly approaches, it’s not just the new movies and TV shows that audiences should watch out for but also the up-and-coming performers. Though not all of Nolan’s work can be characterized as pure action, plenty of his projects feature complex fight sequences and stunts. However, there are also emotional moments and pivotal scenes that rely on the actor being able to tap into a deep place of pain and truth. This is a difficult balance, but Barbaro’s extensive filmography thus far makes me think she could easily walk this line and distinguish herself in Nolan’s work.
In both film and television, whenever Cate Blanchett appears on screen, I know I’m in for an amazing viewing experience. One of my earliest exposures to Blanchett was her work as Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings, but she’s worked across genres and has a movie or TV project for all interests and tastes. Though Blanchett seamlessly fits into every role she’s cast in, I could easily imagine her taking part in The Odyssey, as she’s well known for portraying powerful and intimidating female characters, of which there are many in the story.
It’s a bit surprising that Cate Blanchett is an actor who has never worked with Christopher Nolan, as plenty of her work has engaged themes essential to Nolan’s filmography. Nolan frequently plays with time and structure in his movies, and Blanchett would have no trouble engaging with these complex scripts. In Tár, I was astounded by how well Blanchett disappeared into her role, which is something actors who work with Nolan must do since so many of them are established stars. Her ability to fully embody a character could make her an asset in Nolan’s filmography.
Colman Domingo is one of the best actors of his generation, and his filmography has consistently delighted and surprised audiences. Domingo consistently shines as my favorite part of his movies. His recent film, Sing Sing, is a moving portrait of the way art provides humanity and agency back to incarcerated people. This is just the latest in Domingo’s impressive work both on and off-screen, as he also served as an executive producer on Sing Sing. Working with Nolan would be a departure from Domingo’s contemporary trajectory, but he would be an unforgettable addition to one of Nolan’s projects.
Domingo is known for taking on impactful characters and projects, adding his name and skill to films that highlight underrepresented voices. While Domingo isn’t predicted to win the 2025 Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Sing Sing, his performance marks his second nomination, following his first for Rust. His ability to engage with compelling narratives aligns well with the intricate storytelling found in Nolan’s films.
Willem Dafoe has featured in some of the biggest movies I’ve seen in the last several years. His frequent collaborations with directors like Robert Eggers and Yorgos Lanthimos have given his career an exciting turn, showcasing Dafoe’s amazing performances in avant-garde works as well as dramas rooted in realism. Notably, his work in The Florida Project stands out among his contributions. While Dafoe has become a significant draw at the box office, this does not affect the choices he makes in choosing filmmakers to collaborate with. His portrayals often lead to unforgettable onscreen demises, which has made him one of cinema’s most iconic figures.
Though I doubt Nolan would have Dafoe don the intense prosthetics seen in Poor Things or risk him playing a character on the brink of madness as in The Lighthouse, it’s surprising the pair have never collaborated. Nolan has brought many prestige actors like Dafoe into his ensembles in recent years, but Dafoe has yet to make an appearance. Even if it was just in a small cameo role, I would be excited to see Dafoe onscreen in any Nolan project, as his ability to capture audiences is unparalleled.
Charlie Kaufman’s mind-bending psychological thriller, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, first brought Jessie Buckley to my attention and established her as an important voice in contemporary cinema. Since then, she has starred in the Academy Award-winning film Women Talking as well as the star-studded The Lost Daughter. With a background in theater and musical performances, Buckley has a wide array of talents that Nolan could leverage.
I’ve observed Buckley’s star rise since I’m Thinking of Ending Things, and she has worked with some incredible filmmakers. Recently, Buckley returned to theater, playing Sally Bowles in the West End revival of Cabaret, for which she was universally praised. While Buckley has focused significantly on script and character in her work, Nolan has also been prioritizing these aspects in recent years. With Buckley’s experience working with prominent auteurs in cinema, it’s plausible to envision a productive collaboration with Nolan. Her diverse background and unique talent would undoubtedly add depth to any role in Nolan’s upcoming projects.
Though she’s best known for her TV work, I could easily see Kirby making the transition to movies by working with Nolan. Playing Death in The Sandman and Dead Boy Detectives has been among her most notable roles recently, but her performances in the sci-fi series Sugar, Killing Eve, and Why Women Kill also caught my attention. Her experience in genre work, particularly in sci-fi and fantasy, fits well with Nolan’s established style, as he’s known for infusing fantastical elements into his projects.
A frequent criticism of Nolan is that he doesn’t prioritize the depth of his female characters, a perspective I hope will change in the future. Bringing talented young women into his casts is crucial for addressing this disparity in his projects. An actress like Kirby would not only introduce an additional layer of richness to his storytelling but would also help attract audiences who typically gravitate toward sci-fi and fantasy genres. Christopher Nolan’s collaboration with her could help introduce Kirby to a diverse array of viewers, solidifying her place in the film industry while enriching his cinematic vision.
The world is eager to see how Christopher Nolan’s upcoming ventures unfold, particularly with the actors who might join him on this journey. Given his history of elevating talent through his films, it is likely that any addition to his ensemble would bring a new layer of complexity and artistry to his work. The anticipation for his projects continues to build as fans and newcomers alike look forward to the enchanting mix of storytelling and talent that define Nolan’s distinctive filmography.