Key Takeaways
- The second trailer for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey drops Monday night on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
- Universal released a playful “Where’s Christopher Nolan?” image set, riffing on the classic Where’s Waldo? books.
- New behind‑the‑scenes photos show Nolan filming with an IMAX camera amid massive crowds.
- Fresh stills feature Matt Damon as Odysseus, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, and other stars.
- The film retells Homer’s epic, following Odysseus’s perilous return to Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and Telemachus (Tom Holland).
- The Odyssey opens in theaters July 17, 2025.
Universal’s second trailer for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey is set to debut Monday night on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, giving fans another glimpse of the highly anticipated adaptation. To build excitement, the studio leaned into a light‑hearted nod to the beloved Where’s Waldo? picture‑book series, creating a “Where’s Christopher Nolan?” game. In the primary image, Nolan stands front and center on a bustling set, wearing his usual casual attire while operating an IMAX camera, making him the unmistakable “Waldo” amid a sea of crew members and extras. The juxtaposition of the iconic director amid a massive crowd underscores the scale of the production and invites viewers to spot him as a playful Easter egg.
Accompanying that visual gag, Universal rolled out a series of additional behind‑the‑scenes shots that capture Nolan in various stages of filming. One photo shows him reviewing a monitor with a focused expression, another captures him directing a large group of actors dressed in period‑appropriate garb, and a third highlights the intricate set pieces that evoke ancient Greek landscapes. These images reinforce Nolan’s hands‑on approach and his commitment to shooting on large‑format IMAX, a hallmark of his recent work that promises immersive visuals for The Odyssey.
Beyond the director‑centric photos, the studio released a batch of new stills from the film itself, spotlighting its star‑studded cast. Matt Damon appears as Odysseus, the legendary Greek king whose long‑awaited journey home forms the narrative core. Beside him, Anne Hathaway embodies Penelope, Odysseus’s steadfast wife, while Tom Holland plays their son Telemachus, who awaits his father’s return in Ithaca. The ensemble also includes Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, and John Leguizamo, each taking on roles drawn from Homer’s rich mythological tapestry.
The stills hint at the epic’s tone: Odysseus is portrayed not merely as a weary traveler but as a leader confronting supernatural trials, treacherous seas, and divine machinations on his way back to Ithaca. The narrative promises to delve into the hero’s encounters with mythic creatures, the wrath of Poseidon, and the seductive dangers of figures like Circe and the Sirens—elements that will test his resolve and cunning. The film’s depiction of these “hellish” obstacles suggests a blend of intimate character drama and grandiose spectacle, a balance Nolan has mastered in previous works such as Inception and Dunkirk.
Fans eager to see the trailer in action can tune in to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Monday night, where the second preview will debut alongside Colbert’s characteristic humor and interview flair. The trailer is expected to showcase fresh footage, highlight the film’s visual grandeur, and perhaps reveal a snippet of the score, which Nolan’s frequent collaborator Hans Zimmer is rumored to be crafting.
The Odyssey is slated for a wide theatrical release on July 17, 2025, positioning it as a summer blockbuster that aims to draw both aficionados of classic literature and general audiences seeking high‑concept storytelling. With its impressive cast, Nolan’s meticulous direction, and the promise of IMAX‑scale spectacle, the film stands poised to become a notable entry in the director’s oeuvre and a fresh cinematic take on one of humanity’s oldest adventure tales. For readers hungry for more updates on upcoming genre releases—whether Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, the DC Universe, or the next chapter of Doctor Who—io9 continues to provide timely news and insights, making it a handy companion while we await Nolan’s odyssey to hit the silver screen.