Tom Holland dismisses criticism over modern terms in 'The Odyssey'

• Tom Holland defended the use of modern language in his new film.
• The actor plays Telemachus alongside Matt Damon as his onscreen father.
• Director Sir Christopher Nolan dismissed early criticisms regarding the cinematic script choices.

Actor Tom Holland defended the use of modern language in his upcoming feature film The Odyssey during a television appearance on Tuesday. The performer portrays Telemachus, the son of the character Odysseus played by Matt Damon, in the movie directed by Sir Christopher Nolan. Critics heavily debated the production after promotional material revealed that Holland refers to Damon as "dad" rather than using the traditional term "father" in the script.

Channel 4 News broadcast the interview, where Holland dismissed the historical complaints regarding his vocabulary. The actor argued that using the word "father" would be historically inaccurate anyway because the original historical figures spoke ancient Greek, making modern language choices no less correct. The debate emerged after the adaptation faced social media backlash for incorporating contemporary phrasing and American accents into a narrative originating from ancient Greece.

Nolan also supported the creative direction of the production during media interviews, arguing that audiences frequently view the ancient world through restrictive cultural prejudices. The Telegraph newspaper reported that the director wanted to strip away illogical assumptions that elevate historical stories simply because of their age. The filmmaker stated that the original poem is earthy, grounded, and highly accessible, and he instructed his cast members to focus on making the narrative feel fresh for contemporary cinema audiences.

The director dismissed the early complaints surrounding the linguistic choices, stating that pre-release public debates remain entirely irrelevant because commentators have not yet viewed the final product. The cinematic reimagining of the classic text explores family dynamics through a contemporary lens ahead of its global release. The Odyssey is scheduled to premiere in cinemas across both the United Kingdom and the United States on July 17, 2026.