🔗 Share this article Watch Christopher Nolan's This Epic Trailer the Way It Was Never Intended for Viewing. The acclaimed filmmaker's mythic action epic, The Odyssey, stands as a movie we've been eagerly awaiting since its announcement. It easily ranks among the most hotly anticipated films of 2026. In a festive surprise, a trailer has finally arrived, though it's hampered due to the platform's low-quality encoding—perhaps explaining the director's choice to restrict the preview exclusive to cinemas. A First Glimpse at the Legendary Cast The debut footage showcases Matt Damon in the role of the king of Ithaca. Audiences are introduced to Tom Holland playing the son and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. During an emotional scene, the character pleads with her husband to vow he will return, to which he respond by asking what happens if he cannot. Furthermore, the preview provides a quick, obscured look of the mythical one-eyed giant, from whom sheep are Odysseus and his crew steal during their arduous journey. Adapted from a foundational pillar in classic storytelling, The Odyssey chronicles the epic journey undertaken by the famed ruler. After his triumph in the Trojan War, as told in Homer's Iliad, Odysseus endures an extended and hazardous road home. Mythical Encounters and a Star-Studded Lineup On his travels, the hero encounters numerous obstacles and legendary creatures. This roster features the witch-goddess Circe, known for turning humans into pigs, and the deceptive Sirens. Despite these trials, his sworn oath is to do whatever it takes to reunite with Penelope and Telemachus on his home island. The adaptation's cast is remarkably star-studded. Joining Damon, Holland, and Hathaway is Charlize Theron as the cunning Circe, alongside Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal. A Story Repeatedly Told Homer's epic has seen many reinterpretations throughout history. These range from modern retellings and a late-90s dance production. There has even been a stage musical adaptation titled Epic: The Musical, released in the form of a multi-part album series. A full-length preview has been highly anticipated following the project's reveal and a short teaser clip that previously played only on the big screen. That footage subsequently found its way onto the internet shortly thereafter. To see a clearer version, the trailer posted on the movie's verified account may provide enhanced visual quality. The Odyssey will debut on global IMAX screens next summer.