Christopher Nolan, Hollywood’s most vocal champion of the theatrical experience, is once again bringing moviegoers to cinemas—not just for his films, but for their trailers as well.
The first teaser for his upcoming epic, The Odyssey, is being shown exclusively before Jurassic World Rebirth, Universal’s latest blockbuster hitting theaters this weekend. Nolan’s loyal fanbase, known for their fervent anticipation of his projects, may now have another reason to buy a ticket—even if just to catch a glimpse of his next ambitious undertaking.
A Theatrical-Only First Look
At a Wednesday morning screening of Jurassic World Rebirth at a Manhattan AMC, the Odyssey teaser played after Nicole Kidman’s iconic AMC intro celebrating the magic of cinema. The brief but cryptic trailer, running just over a minute, offers only tantalizing hints at Nolan’s take on Homer’s ancient Greek saga.
Set for release on July 17, 2026, the film’s teaser opens with sweeping shots of the sea as a voiceover recounts Odysseus’ victory in the Trojan War—subtly visualized by the shadow of a massive wooden horse. The first face revealed is Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, who declares, “I have to find out what happened to my father.” He’s seen speaking to Jon Bernthal, whose role remains undisclosed but who delivers his signature tough-guy charisma, asking, “Who has a story about Odysseus?”
Notably, the characters all speak with American accents, including Holland, who typically uses his native British inflection. The teaser’s final shot unveils a weathered, bearded Matt Damon as Odysseus, adrift and exhausted in the open ocean—leaving much of Nolan’s vision still shrouded in mystery.
Nolan’s Nostalgic Trailer Strategy
This isn’t the first time Nolan has debuted a trailer exclusively in theaters. A first look at Oppenheimer—which later won him Best Picture and Best Director at the 2024 Oscars—premiered before Jordan Peele’s Nope in 2022. The approach harkens back to an older era of movie marketing, like when Star Wars fans had to see Meet Joe Black in 1998 to catch the first Phantom Menace teaser.
But in today’s digital age, exclusivity is fleeting. Though Universal has not officially released the Odyssey teaser online, shaky cam recordings surfaced briefly on Tuesday before being taken down—proving that even Nolan’s cinematic purism can’t fully escape the internet.
What We Still Don’t Know
The teaser raises more questions than answers:
- How much of Homer’s epic will Nolan adapt? The Odyssey spans decades—will the film focus on Odysseus’ journey home, or include the Trojan War?
- Who are Zendaya and Robert Pattinson playing? Their roles remain undisclosed, fueling speculation.
- Will the film retain Nolan’s signature IMAX grandeur? Given his history, it’s likely.
One thing is certain: Nolan’s insistence on theatrical-first reveals ensures that The Odyssey will remain a must-see event—both for its trailer and its eventual release.
