Posted on 03/06/2025 11:52:56 AM PST by nickcarraway
Christopher Nolan’s latest epic production, ”The Odyssey”, brought Hollywood star Matt Damon to Greece. Filming is underway for the highly anticipated adaptation of Homer’s legendary epic poem in Greece with the production already working hard for the much-anticipated film.
With a star-covered cast and a whopping $250 million production budget, this ambitious cinematic project is expected to be one of the most talked-about films of recent years.
Matt Damon in Greece to begin filming
Matt Damon, who will star in the new film as Odysseus, arrived in Greece a few days ago to film key scenes for the new film and was caught by cameras leaving the country on Thursday. The production is making use of iconic locations across Greece, including the Methoni Castle, the Voidokilia Beach in Crete and the archaeological site of Acrocorinth in the Peloponnese. These sites will be the backdrop for the perilous journey home of Odysseus following the end of the Trojan War.
Photos captured at Athens’ International Airport show Damon casually dressed in jeans and a hoodie, as he waited for his flight to depart. According to Greek news website Proto Thema, Damon has already taken part in the filming of some scenes and is expected to come back to Greece again to continue filming more. Meanwhile, casting calls for extras have drawn significant attention in Kalamata and other nearby towns of southern Greece.
Grecian Delight supports Greece
Nolan’s ”The Odyssey” promises to be a visually stunning ”sword-and-sandals” epic that stays true to its ancient Greek roots. The film follows Odysseus as he faces mythical challenges—including encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens and Circe—on his decade-long voyage back to Ithaca. Alongside Damon, the cast includes Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Calypso and Robert Pattinson as Poseidon.
Filming began earlier this year across multiple international locations such as Morocco and Italy before moving to Greece. The production is expected to boost Greece’s global tourist profile as a prime destination for both filmmaking and relaxation, as the country is aiming at attracting foreign productions in the last few years.
Scheduled for release in the summer of 2026, ”The Odyssey” is expected to be Nolan’s most expensive project yet. With its breathtaking settings across the Mediterranean and beautiful plot, this adaptation of Homer’s classic epic tale hopes to captivate audiences worldwide.
Historically inaccurate?
However, the first image that was released recently of the upcoming production, sparked debate over its historical accuracy. Critics argued that Odysseus should wear a Mycenaean boar’s tusk helmet, as described in The Iliad. In Book 10, Homer mentions Odysseus borrowing such a helmet from Meriones for a nighttime raid. However, this is not Odysseus’ standard helmet in the epic.
In Nolan’s adaptation, Matt Damon’s Odysseus wears a red-plumed helmet resembling later Greek designs. While visually impressive, this choice is slightly away from both Mycenaean and Homeric descriptions.
Whatever the number, it’ll be too many.
Uh, no.
Just no.
Did that minivan come with the oars & sail, or the internal combustion option?
Totally no. I’ll just read the book again.
Zendaya has zero acting chops. Nice to look at, though.
Matt Damon!
I am going out on a limb here and going to predict not dollar one will be spent by me n this movie.
Brad Pitt would have been a better choice
The Hallmark production of The Odyssey had a great cast, was a lot of fun, and that's hard to do with what really comes off as an ancient Greek rom-com.
The wily Odysseus was very cerebral compared to Achilles, Agamemnon, Menelaus, etc. Sam Neil in his younger days would have been a good choice. Not sure who fits the bill now. I don’t see Matt Damon credibly doing “wily”!
Ford vs Ferrari is the only movie of his I ever liked.
I never knew I could be an actor until I saw Matt in most of his films.
“So Zathras, how is your life going?”
“Huh...ok I guess”
What amazing dialogue! /sar
Matt who?
Using this thread to promote The Durrells in Corfu (Greece). An excellent series, a must watch!
yeah kind of agree. Can’t even come up with a Matt Damon film in my head! His work made that much of an impression on me.
Exactly
Matt Damon is a dud
Which is worth something. Anne Hathaway has had atrocities committed on her face. She looks like an alien.
Then again... Matt did play a Chinese dude a couple of films ago... So maybe he can be Greek.
According to Wikipedia... "Homer 'may' have been an Ancient Greek poet"... Just like Jesus Christ 'may' have been our savior? I don't know about you, but I'm willing to bet that Homer was as real as you and I are. Sadly enough, Wikipedia is doing it's best to dispel that notion and many others as well.
BCE and CE???? Stick it up your doughnut hole.
lol
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.