Christopher Nolan and stars of 'The Odyssey' share their experiences in making the epic film

The stars of the epic film "The Oddysey" and director Christopher Nolan discussed the challenges of bringing one of the most influential stories in Western literature to the big screen in an interview with Fandango correspondent Jacqueline Coley.

The conversation covered everything from filming with IMAX cameras and crafting the film’s epic scale to the emotional performances that anchor the story, with the actors reflecting on their experiences portraying some of literature’s most iconic characters.

When asked which sequence best showcased the reason why "The Odyssey" had to be filmed in IMAX, Nolan admitted it was a difficult question. Having previously used the format himself in films like "The Dark Knight" and "Interstellar" to tell grand-scale stories, he said what surprised him most about "The Odyssey" was not its spectacle but its intimacy.

“Where we're really getting close to their characters and feeling like we're in the room with them,” Nolan said, pointing to the scenes set in Ithaca, Odysseus’ home, as “some of the most surprising and engaging sequences in the film.”

For Matt Damon, who plays Odysseus, the biggest challenge was stepping into one of literature’s most iconic roles. He said the fact that Nolan personally offered him the part gave him the confidence to embrace the role.

Damon explained that if he had approached Nolan himself and said “let's do The Odyssey and I'll play Odysseus,” he likely would have felt overwhelmed. Instead, knowing Nolan had already envisioned him for the character allowed him to focus on his performance.

He also described acting as an exercise in trust and confidence, admitting that while reading the script he often wondered how certain scenes would be accomplished. Ultimately, he realized those technical challenges belonged to the production team, while his responsibility was simple: “I'm just going to show up and I'll be ready.”

Damon compared the filmmaking process to a giant mosaic, where every department is responsible for one piece. By taking ownership of his own role, he could ease some pressure from Nolan and allow him to focus on every other detail needed to make the film richer and more complete.

Tom Holland, who plays Telemachus, described his first day on set as one of the most daunting experiences of his career. His first scene was a major emotional moment with Jon Bernthal, who was also filming his first scene for the movie.

“I remember it was really challenging. It was a big scene,” Holland recalled.

He said Nolan's encouragement after filming helped boost his confidence. “Oh, I can totally do this. I can swim in these waters,” he declared. 

Holland also reflected on working with IMAX cameras for the first time, admitting he initially thought Nolan kept stopping takes because something was wrong with the performances.

“And in my head, I'm like, ‘Does he not like what we're doing? What is happening?’”

He later discovered that the IMAX cameras could only record for about three minutes at a time.

Anne Hathaway, who plays Penelope, said she was immediately drawn to Nolan's interpretation of the character, describing it as both faithful to the classic figure and far more emotionally layered.

“I loved how rich the character was without denying the Penelope that we all kind of thought that we knew.”

She explained that Penelope's strength lies in balancing her private emotions with the public responsibilities expected of a queen, and credited Nolan's writing for giving the character that emotional complexity.

“I wouldn't have been able to do any of that if Chris hadn't written, guided it and created space for that in the film.”

Hathaway also praised Nolan's dialogue, saying the lines never felt over-rehearsed and instead carried a timeless quality that continued to inspire her throughout filming.

Damon was also asked why the role came at the right point in his career. “Because I'm acutely aware of how rare these opportunities are,” he answered.

He said years of experience made him appreciate every part of the demanding production, from the harsh filming conditions to the chance to work on a project unlike most modern blockbusters.

“We were shooting in a format that had never been used. We were shooting it the way Chris works, which is everything's in camera, everything's practical. That's rarely done now.”

Damon described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and joked that he was fortunate Nolan offered him the role before turning to one of his longtime collaborators. Nolan played along, quipping that they had all “passed” on the role.

Holland said one of his biggest takeaways came from watching Damon lead by example. “It's the lesson that you'd hope the audience learn from Odysseus when watching the movie, that perseverance.”

Holland praised Damon for arriving on set every day with enthusiasm and kindness despite the physically demanding shoot, saying he set the tone for the entire cast. Hathaway agreed, calling Damon “an extraordinary number one on the call sheet” whose attitude reminded everyone not to take the experience for granted.

The group also talked about Zendaya’s role as Athena. Nolan revealed that she was the only actor to receive a "perfect" from him. When asked which scene earned the praise, Nolan laughed and admitted he could not remember because, in his words, “She was always perfect,” prompting Holland to quip that he was still waiting for his own perfect score.

"The Odyssey" opens in Philippine cinemas on July 15, with global and US releases beginning July 17.