Image credit: Universal Pictures
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey received a brand new trailer this week, highlighting even more of the upcoming epic fantasy action movie ahead of its release on July 17, 2026. The movie’s trailer gave us an even better look at Nolan’s highly anticipated movie, and here are three things that stood out the most from checking it out.
Why should fans be excited for The Odyssey after the new trailer?
Of course, the first thing worth mentioning in The Odyssey trailer is the film’s mythical being Polyphemus, the one-eyed son of Poseidon and Thoosa in Greek mythology, who fans will better know as a Cyclops. Previous trailers had teased Odysseus and his army’s run in with the character, but the trailer gives us our first actual look at him, and he is every bit as terrifying as fans had hoped. In the brief scenes of the trailer, Polyphemus can be seen towering over everyone in Odysseus’ party, presumably having just captured them as he does in the original story.
The trailer doesn’t just stop there, though, but actually gives us a full bodied look at the Cyclops. Doused in the light of flames, Polyphemus appears to be a rather wrinkly man, with almost scaly-like skin. The most striking features, though, are on his face. His nose and eye are nearly fully vertical, giving him a much more sinister look then we’ve seen Cyclops’ portrayed in the past. As one of the biggest encounters in the story and movie, it will be great to see him in full when the movie releases.
New look at the Cyclops in Christopher Nolanʼs ‘THE ODYSSEY.’In theaters July 17. pic.twitter.com/orwJ1bmrkB— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) May 5, 2026
The second thing worth mentioning, of course, is Nolan’s gigantic set pieces for the upcoming movie. Nolan and others have already spoken about how much of the movie is done practically, but it really shows in the trailer. Set pieces shown in the movie include previously teased scenes like Odysseus leading his men in the Trojan Horse during the Trojan War, as well as battles against what look to be some gigantic soldiers who have no problem throwing Odysseus and his men around like dolls.
Some of the most striking scenes, though, took place out on the sea. Presumably taking place after Odysseus and his men escape the clutches of Polyphemus, the scenes show Matt Damon‘s character trying to lead on his men through a particularly rough storm. Rather than using CGI or a fake boat, Nolan and his team sought out an actual, real-life vessel, adding to the incredible look of the movie and no doubt making it even more realistic.
The Odyssey (2026) pic.twitter.com/L9b2ywt8zI— Neb | ?️? (@NebsGoodTakes) May 5, 2026
Finally, for those looking for more than action, The Odyssey will have its fair share of political intrigue. Alongside Odysseus and his journey back home to Ithaca, the movie will tell the tale of those back in his home city vying for his wife Penelope’s hand in marriage. Chief among those suitors is Antinous, played in the upcoming movie by Robert Pattinson. While fans were quick to note some of the odd dialogue that Pattinson uses (specifically his use of “daddy” to refer to Odysseus in the trailer), it will be exciting none the less to see how Pattinson’s scheme play out in the movie.
New look at Robert Pattinson in THE ODYSSEY pic.twitter.com/WLKpLw8twq— Christopher Nolan Archives (@NolanAnalyst) May 5, 2026
Nolan is no stranger to handling drama and intrigue in his films, and Pattinson himself is no stranger to working with Nolan. In this case, it’s a perfect match, as Pattinson’s Antinous seems like the perfect antagonist for Tom Holland‘s young and seemingly innocent Telemachus, the son of Odysseus who is simply trying to bide his and Penelope’s time until Odysseus returns. Antinous has no desire to wait, though, and leads his own team to make sure that Odysseus never makes it home, which will be every bit as exciting to watch as we think it will.
Originally reported by Anthony Nash for ComingSoon.
