Universal drops new 'The Odyssey' trailer teasing Pattinson and Theron roles

The Odyssey has released a new trailer offering the first detailed look at Robert Pattinson in a villainous role, alongside fresh action-heavy glimpses of Charlize Theron in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming mythic epic.

Released on Tuesday, May 5, by Universal Pictures, the trailer expands the world of Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek poem, with Matt Damon leading as Odysseus, the warrior attempting to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.

The footage also features Tom Holland as Odysseus’ son Telemachus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope, while showcasing brief but striking appearances from Pattinson’s antagonist character and Theron in high-intensity action sequences.

The ensemble cast includes a wide range of major stars, among them Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, and Jon Bernthal.

Described by Universal as a “mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology,” the film marks Nolan’s continued push for large-format cinematic storytelling.

Director Christopher Nolan, 55, recently confirmed that The Odyssey will run shorter than his 2023 film Oppenheimer, noting that IMAX projection constraints helped shape the runtime. He explained that the film will still be an epic in scope, but under three hours in length.

“We know it’s less than three hours,” Nolan said, adding that the production was designed specifically for IMAX presentation and large-format theatrical experience.

Nolan also described the shoot as one of his most challenging productions yet, calling it “an absolute nightmare to film… in all the right ways,” while praising Damon’s physically demanding performance across multiple global locations.

“He was out on boats, up mountains, in caves… in beating sunshine and sideways rain,” Nolan said, highlighting the scale of the production, which filmed across multiple international locations.

Theron also previously teased her involvement in the project, hinting at the intensity of her role alongside Damon in what she called a “part of a lifetime.”

The Odyssey is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 17, positioning itself as one of the summer’s most anticipated large-scale cinematic releases.