Zendaya Stuns as Athena in New Look at ‘The Odyssey’
A new look at Zendaya as Athena in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey is getting a lot of attention online, according to a report from ELLE.
The image shows Zendaya in her role as Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war. The film is a big-budget adaptation of Homer’s ancient epic poem The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan and produced by Universal Pictures.
The movie follows the story of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, as he tries to return home after the Trojan War. During his long journey, he faces dangerous creatures, gods, and many obstacles while trying to reunite with his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway.
Zendaya’s role as Athena is important in the story because the goddess is known for guiding and protecting Odysseus during his journey. In mythology, Athena is a key figure who supports heroes and represents intelligence and strategy.
The film also includes a large ensemble cast. Tom Holland plays Telemachus, Odysseus’s son. Robert Pattinson appears as Antinous, one of the suitors in Ithaca. Lupita Nyong’o plays a dual role as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, while Charlize Theron plays the nymph Calypso.
The project has been in development since 2024 when Nolan began writing the script. He later secured the film with Universal Pictures and officially moved into production. Casting continued through late 2024 and early 2025, with Matt Damon confirmed as the lead.
Filming took place across multiple countries, including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, and Malta. The production also used studio work in Los Angeles. Reports say the budget is around $250 million, making it one of the most expensive films of Nolan’s career.
The movie is also notable for being shot entirely on IMAX 70 mm film, something that adds to its large-scale production style.
Nolan has said in past comments that he wants the film to feel grounded and realistic, even though it is based on Greek mythology. He has also drawn inspiration from Emily Wilson’s modern translation of The Odyssey and classic myth-based films.
According to ELLE, the new image of Zendaya as Athena has added to growing excitement for the film, which is currently scheduled for theatrical release on July 17, in IMAX cinemas across the United States.
With its large cast, massive production scale, and familiar mythological story, The Odyssey is already one of the most anticipated films of 2026.
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