First look at Christopher Nolan’s newest blockbuster rumoured to have $250 million budget is revealed

The first look at Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has been revealed, with the movie rumoured to have a budget as high as $250 million.

If true, the adaptation of the literary Greek classic will be the director's most expensive film.

While Matt Damon has been slated to star in the film, the newly released photo confirms that he will be playing Odysseus.

The film also stars Tom Holland, who has been rumoured to play a younger version of the Greek hero, as well as Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, and several more Hollywood stars in a stacked cast.

Below is the first look, released on Twitter, by the newly created account for the film:

Matt Damon as Odysseus (Universal)

This came with the accompanying caption: "Matt Damon is Odysseus. A film by Christopher Nolan, #TheOdysseyMovie is in theaters July 17, 2026."

The film will be shot using brand new IMAX technology.

The Odyssey is considered one of the great epic Greek poems, written by Homer, who also wrote The Illiad. Split into 24 parts, it is widely regarded as one of the most influential pieces of literature ever created and follows King Odysseus returning home after The Trojan War.

The main cast of the film features several Nolan alumni, with Matt Damon himself having previously appeared in two Nolan flicks, Interstellar and Oppenheimer.

In addition to this Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson have both appeared in films by the auteur, along with others appearing in the film such as Benny Safdie and Himesh Patel.

It will be the first time, however, that stars such as Tom Holland, Zendaya, Theron, and Nyong'o appear in one of his films.

Damon will star in the film after appearing in Oppenheimer (Michael Buckner via Getty Images)

The budget will be being put to good use beyond simply the massive cast list of stars, as it was confirmed that there would be sections filmed at the actual location where Homer based a portion of Odysseus’ journey in his 8th century BCE epic.

This will take place on Favignana, commonly known as 'Goat Island'.

Production is set to be undertaken later this month at locations all over the world ahead of the July 17, 2026 release date.

Earlier this year, Nolan and his wife and producing partner, Emma Thomas, teased the film in an interview with Empire.

Thomas said of the film: "I would say it’s very exciting.

"This is the moment where the possibilities are sort of limitless, we haven’t started thinking practicalities, or anything.

"Oppenheimer was so absurdly successful and we feel like we have an opportunity."