Christopher Nolan Reveals How the Greek Gods Drive Every Twist in The Odyssey

So, Christopher Nolan is taking a crack at The Odyssey (yes, that Odyssey). With a lineup that somehow crams Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson all into one movie, you'd think the only thing missing is the kitchen sink—or, maybe, some Greek gods dropping in for a cameo.

About Those Gods...

If you're wondering whether Zeus and the rest of the Olympian crew are about to strut around on screen, Nolan tackled that very question on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Sort of. In classic Nolan fashion, he was a bit cagey. Here's what he did spell out:

• 'We have a horse. That much I can tell you.' Yes, he actually led with that.
• The main events are all present and accounted for: Odysseus, Penelope, Telemachus, and Ithaca itself.
• According to Nolan, the heart of the film is definitely the family drama—Odysseus struggling to reconnect with his loved ones after all those years away.
• On the divine front? Nolan says the world he's creating is 'a world where people saw Gods in everything, everywhere. So the thunder, the tides coming in, the wind blowing – that’s all evidence of divinity that they’re surrounded by.' Basically, don't expect Zeus to show up as a guy in robes, but that ultra-mythic atmosphere is baked into every frame.

He's blunt: 'What we’re trying to do is take the audience and put them in that world and put them in that mindset.' Translation: the gods may not appear in person, but their presence will be everywhere—or at least, that's the intent.

Some Poetry, Some Superheroes

Here’s a surprising touch: Nolan calls Homer—the original author of The Odyssey—the superhero storyteller of his time. Literally. According to Nolan, these gods and heroes were 'the Marvel of its day', and he draws a straight line from ancient legends to our modern comic book movies. If you ever wanted validation for your Marvel obsession from an Oscar-winning director, here you go.

Star-Studded Cast (That He Actually Likes)

Aside from the philosophical stuff, Nolan clearly enjoys working with his cast. He gave a special shout-out to Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Holland, saying he’d happily link up with Tom again if the chance comes around (he even tossed out a Spider-Man comic reference for the fans).

So, if you were expecting a CGI Zeus hurling lightning bolts, maybe dial those hopes back a bit. But if you’re into the idea of Nolan building a world where gods are felt but never actually spotted, you’re probably in for a treat.

The Odyssey arrives in theaters July 17. Start sharpening your spears…and maybe bring a classical mythology cheat sheet.