Christopher Nolan Reveals If a Biblical Epic Is Next After The Odyssey

If you thought Christopher Nolan would be taking a breather after Oppenheimer, think again. He’s already neck-deep in his next big epic—an adaptation of The Odyssey. But fans are always hungry for the next, next thing, and that came up in a pretty entertaining way thanks to Stephen Colbert.

Nolan Sidesteps the Bible Question

So, during a recent appearance on The Late Show, Colbert asked Nolan if he’d ever tackle something from the Bible—think the story of Samson on the big screen. Nolan didn’t bite. Instead, he just sort of hovered over the idea and gently nudged it aside. His actual words, said with the kind of cautious optimism only blockbuster directors have, were:

‘I think, let’s see how this goes.’

By ‘this,’ he meant The Odyssey—his current monster of a project. He went on to say that the film already has some biblical-level spectacle and legendary characters, so maybe he’s scratching that particular itch for now. As for really answering Colbert’s question, Nolan admitted, ‘That’s a good non-answer.’ Colbert, never missing a beat, quipped, ‘I’m going to take that as a yes.’ That’s as official as it gets, folks.

So, What’s the Deal With Nolan’s The Odyssey?

If you’re wondering what’s so special about this take on a story that’s literally thousands of years old, here’s what makes it a Nolan project through and through:

• Big Themes, Big Tech: Nolan is going all-in on the survival, family, and resilience angles of Odysseus’ journey. And because it’s Nolan, expect the whole thing delivered in a massive visual package.
• IMAX First: This is actually the first film ever shot entirely on IMAX cameras. Nolan’s not exactly subtle about wanting audiences to feel like they’re right in the thick of it.
• One Epic Road Trip (Literally): Production is taking the crew around the world—Italy, Greece, and the UK are all on the itinerary—giving the whole film a genuine, globe-trotting energy instead of a green-screen vibe.
• The Usual Suspects: Nolan’s producing this with Emma Thomas, his longtime collaborator (and wife), so no big shakeups behind the scenes.

He says he wants to drop viewers right into Odysseus’ mind and world—not just tick off the famous events. That sounds as much like Inception as it does Homer, honestly.

What Comes Next?

As for a Bible movie? Still a giant question mark. Nolan dodged, Colbert joked, and we’re left speculating. But the real headline right now is The Odyssey—ambitious, massive, probably a technical showcase, and almost definitely the only Greek myth movie you’ll see shot in true IMAX. If Nolan ever does decide to tackle the Old Testament, you’ll probably hear it first from a late night host, not a press release.