Stunt Performer Doesn't Hold Back on Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan is pulling out all the stops for his next project, The Odyssey, which is set for release July 2026. The action-fantasy film features an A-list cast including Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, and others.  

The film is an ambitious adaptation of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. The classic story of Greek mythology follows a man named Odysseus and his 10-year journey home from the Trojan War. 

Nolan, best known for critically acclaimed films such as Interstellar (2014), Inception (2010), and the Dark Knight trilogy, has never before directed a film categorized as fantasy. 

Known for limiting his use of CGI, Nolan is aiming to capture the upcoming epic with more practical effects. A creative choice that demands on-location filming in places that may not be the easiest to access or work in. 

Stunt performer James Newman, responsible for training both Damon and Holland for the film, gave insight into Nolan's commitment, and the lengths he was willing to go. 

In a now-deleted episode of the Action for Everyone podcast, he shared, "They found locations and Nolan would go like, 'Okay, this cave, has anyone ever filmed here before?' And the local guy is like 'No'. (Nolan) is like 'Okay, great we're going to film here.' This like untouched place. He wants to be the first person there to do it, he wants to feel like no one ever touched ground here ..." 

Describing the physical demands of the shoot, he adds, "And every location is a hike. There's a castle, I think it's Odysseus's home, but it's up on a hill and it's like a two kilometer hike to get up there." 

Nolan has earned two Academy Awards over the years, both for his latest film, Oppenheimer (2023), earning seven, including best director. 

Christopher Nolan, winner of the Best Directing award and the Best Picture award for “Oppenheimer”, onstage in the press room at the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California.

Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

Though he has not said anything publicly about the new movie, he did share some of his philosophy in a 2023 interview with Empire,"You're trying to add something to the body of work of movies, generally."

Anticipation builds for the film's release, as fans eagerly await Nolan's signature take on the Greek classic. 

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