The Odyssey features one of the biggest casts of Christopher Nolan’s career – but who does everyone play? Find out below.
Based on Homer’s ancient Greek poem, the film follows Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War.
His journey takes him across the Mediterranean, where he encounters gods, monsters and other mythical figures, while his wife Penelope and son Telemachus face their own battle back in Ithaca.
The film arrived in cinemas on Friday (July 17) and made $264million (£196million) globally over its opening weekend, making it the biggest live-action opening of 2026 so far.
Check out the trailer below.
In a five-star review, NME wrote: “Less a case of them not making ’em like they used to, watching the film leaves you with a sense that this sort of thing probably won’t be made at all for too much longer – the sheer scale, ambition and weight of it seeming to belong to a different world already. It’s hard to see how cinema can get much bigger than this.”
Who plays who in The Odyssey?
Matt Damon plays Odysseus
Matt Damon leads the cast as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca and architect of the Trojan Horse strategy that ended the Trojan War. The film follows his long and increasingly dangerous voyage home, during which he is forced to confront the consequences of his actions during the war.
Tom Holland plays Telemachus
Tom Holland plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope. Having grown up without his father, Telemachus sets out to discover whether Odysseus is still alive while trying to protect his family’s throne from Penelope’s suitors.
Anne Hathaway plays Penelope
Anne Hathaway stars as Penelope, the queen of Ithaca and wife of Odysseus. While waiting for her husband to return, she attempts to prevent the numerous men occupying her palace from forcing her into another marriage.
Robert Pattinson plays Antinous
Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, the most prominent and aggressive of Penelope’s suitors. He seeks to marry Penelope and claim the throne of Ithaca, bringing him into conflict with Telemachus.
Zendaya plays Athena
Zendaya portrays Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare. Athena is one of Odysseus’ most important divine allies, offering him guidance and protection during his journey.
Lupita Nyong’o plays Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra
Lupita Nyong’o takes on two roles in the film, playing sisters Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. Helen’s departure for Troy was the catalyst for the Trojan War, while Clytemnestra is the wife of the Greek commander Agamemnon.
Charlize Theron plays Calypso
Charlize Theron plays Calypso, the nymph who keeps Odysseus on her island, Ogygia, and attempts to persuade him to remain with her.
Samantha Morton plays Circe
Samantha Morton plays Circe, the powerful sorceress encountered by Odysseus and his crew on the island of Aeaea. Morton described landing the part as a “rebirth” for her career, adding: “I got to do what I do best for the best.”
Jon Bernthal plays Menelaus
Jon Bernthal portrays Menelaus, the king of Sparta, husband of Helen and brother of Agamemnon.
Benny Safdie plays Agamemnon
Benny Safdie plays Agamemnon, the commander of the Greek forces during the Trojan War and husband of Clytemnestra.
John Leguizamo plays Eumaeus
John Leguizamo appears as Eumaeus, a loyal servant of Odysseus who helps him after his eventual return to Ithaca.
Himesh Patel plays Eurylochus
Himesh Patel plays Eurylochus, Odysseus’ second-in-command and one of the principal members of his crew.
Mia Goth plays Melantho
Mia Goth portrays Melantho, a servant in the Ithacan palace who becomes closely aligned with Penelope’s suitors.
Elliot Page plays Sinon
Elliot Page plays Sinon, the Greek soldier associated with the Trojan Horse deception.
Bill Irwin plays Polyphemus
Bill Irwin provides the voice of Polyphemus, the Cyclops encountered by Odysseus and his crew.
Travis Scott plays the Bard
Travis Scott makes a cameo as a bard who recounts part of the Trojan War. Nolan said he cast the rapper because he wanted to acknowledge how Homer’s story was passed down through oral poetry, which he described as “analogous to rap”.
Who else is in the cast?
The remaining actors include:
- Corey Hawkins – Polybus
- Jimmy Gonzales – Cepheus
- Jesse Garcia – Menetus
- Will Yun Lee – Anchialus
- Jovan Adepo – Elpenor
- Andrew Howard – Polites
- Anthony Molinari – Perimedes
- Josh Stewart – Antiphates
- Logan Marshall-Green – Melanthius
- James Remar – Tiresias
The post Every actor in ‘The Odyssey’ and who they’re playing appeared first on NME.