Tom Holland’s Telemachus Reportedly Different in ‘The Odyssey’ Compared to Homer’s Original Poem

There is a lot of interest building around Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, especially as more details about the adaptation slowly come out. The project is based on the ancient Greek poem by Homer and brings together a large cast of well-known actors.

The film is being made as a big-scale historical fantasy epic, with Matt Damon playing Odysseus. It follows his long journey home after the Trojan War, along with many other characters from the original story. The movie is being produced by Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas through their company Syncopy, according to production information.

One of the changes reported from the original poem is how the story handles Odysseus’ relationship with his son, Telemachus, played by Tom Holland. In Homer’s version, their time together is limited, but the film is said to give them many more shared scenes.

The focus on their father-son bond is described as one of the key emotional changes in the adaptation. Telemachus is shown as someone who has grown up with the image of a father he barely knows, which makes their reunion more central to the story.

The film also reportedly adjusts several other parts of the myth. Argos, Odysseus’ loyal dog, is given a larger presence instead of a brief appearance. Circe, a well-known figure from the original poem, is said to be written in a more human and emotional way, with Samantha Morton playing the role.

Another major change involves the characters Menelaus and Helen. Jon Bernthal plays Menelaus, while Lupita Nyong’o plays Helen. Their reunion is said to be less simple than in the poem, with the story adding more tension and conflict. Nyong’o also plays Helen’s sister Clytemnestra, whose marriage into Agamemnon’s family adds another layer of drama.

Anne Hathaway, who plays Penelope, has also spoken about the filming experience. She said the production focused on performance and simplicity rather than luxury. “They save the money for the screen,” she said. “We’re all staying in budget accommodation… and we’re all so happy to be there.”

According to production details, The Odyssey is a large-scale international shoot filmed across multiple countries including Morocco, Greece, Italy, and Iceland. It has been described as one of Nolan’s most expensive films and is shot entirely on IMAX 70 mm film cameras.

The movie is currently scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on July 17, through Universal Pictures.

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