Robert Pattinson Teases On-Set Rivalry With Tom Holland in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

Robert Pattinson has shared new details about his villain role in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, where he plays Antinous, a scheming figure trying to take control of Ithaca while Odysseus is away.

In Nolan’s version of the classic story, Antinous becomes one of the main threats back home in Ithaca. While Odysseus is lost at sea, Antinous begins plotting to take his place. He also tries to win the attention of Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, who is still waiting for her husband’s return.

Pattinson described Antinous as deeply unpleasant but enjoyable to play. He said, “I mean, he’s just the worst stepfather you could possibly have,” adding that the role let him lean into a more chaotic, exaggerated type of performance compared to his usual characters.

Tom Holland plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, who finds himself directly at odds with Antinous. Holland is also a frequent co-star of Pattinson, and The Odyssey marks their third film together after The Lost City of Z and The Devil All The Time. According to Pattinson, their shared history made the dynamic easier to play.

He explained that working with Holland again has become a familiar pattern. “I always end up doing these slithery things with Tom and I don’t know why,” he said. He also repeated the same playful line about his character’s obsession, adding, “I just want to be your daddy. I want to be your daddy. That’s all I want!”

Tom Holland also spoke positively about reuniting with Pattinson. He told Empire that having a familiar face on set helped him feel more comfortable in the intense environment of a Christopher Nolan production. “Having a familiar face and someone that I could share the screen with was a real safety blanket for me,” Holland said.

He also praised Pattinson’s approach to acting, saying, “I’m always eager to share scenes with Rob, because he just brings the best out of everyone.” Holland added that he admires Pattinson’s willingness to take bold creative risks and commit fully to unusual character choices.

The film itself is expected to present a grounded but intense take on the ancient Greek epic, with Nolan focusing on realism and psychological tension rather than fantasy spectacle. Pattinson’s Antinous fits into this approach as a manipulative and unsettling presence rather than a traditional larger-than-life villain.

With Pattinson embracing a more eccentric performance style and Holland playing against him as Telemachus, The Odyssey is shaping up to continue Nolan’s pattern of pairing grounded storytelling with unusual character dynamics.

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