Benny Safdie reunites with Christopher Nolan for 'The Odyssey': Report
What's the story
Acclaimed actor-director Benny Safdie is reportedly set to reunite with filmmaker Christopher Nolan for his next project, The Odyssey, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
The new venture is a Universal Pictures production with a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron, among others.
Notably, Safdie had previously collaborated with Nolan in the Oscar-winning film Oppenheimer, where he played physicist Edward Teller.
Project details
'The Odyssey' is a modern take on Homer's epic
The Odyssey is an adaptation of the Greek epic 8th-century BC poem by Homer.
Universal Pictures, in its December announcement, called it a "mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new Imax film technology."
The film hopes to bring "Homer's foundational saga to Imax film screens for the first time" with a release date of July 17, 2026.
Film synopsis
'The Odyssey' plot and production timeline
The Odyssey tells the tale of Greek hero King Odysseus's difficult 10-year journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
The story is filled with divine interventions and mythical creatures such as Cyclopes. It also features Odysseus's wife and grown-up son who deal with ambitious suitors eyeing the throne.
Character descriptions remain undisclosed, with Universal Pictures declining to comment on casting details.
The film is set to start shooting next month, making it Nolan's second project with Universal after Oppenheimer.
Career highlights
Safdie's recent ventures and accolades
Safdie was last seen in the 2023 Showtime/A24 series The Curse, which he co-wrote and co-created with Nathan Fielder.
He also recently wrapped up production on Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore 2 and is waiting for the release of his solo directorial debut, The Smashing Machine, later this year.
Safdie's acting credits include Lionsgate's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Claire Denis's Palme d'Or-nominated film The Stars at Noon, and Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza.