Cameras continue to roll on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and we now have a first look at Dune and Challengers star Zendaya on set in full costume.
It's unclear who she will play in this retelling of the epic poem composed by Homer in the 8th Century, but the actor was spotted alongside a Matt Damon looking more than a little worse for wear. He's been aged up and is rocking a pretty impressive beard, a sign perhaps that this scene is from later in the movie.
While these photos don't exactly help confirm it, rumour has it Zendaya is playing Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare.
In the story, she acts as a divine benefactor and mentor to Odysseus and his family, often appearing in disguise to subtly guide them. Athena is deeply invested in Odysseus's journey home and actively intervenes to help him overcome obstacles, both divine and mortal. That might explain why she's before him in what looks like a low moment for the hero.
Zendaya looks set to have a busy 2025 as she's also expected to film roles in Spider-Man 4 and the long-awaited third season of Euphoria.
Check out a first look at Zendaya in The Odyssey in the X posts below.
The ancient Greek poem this movie is based on is one of the foundational texts of Western literature. It tells the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, exploring themes of heroism, loyalty, cunning and the struggle against divine will.
The tale includes iconic stories like Odysseus' encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens and the witch-goddess Circe, culminating in a reunion with his wife Penelope.
While the genre is new for Nolan, epic stories are right in his wheelhouse. His career as a filmmaker has seen him produce vastly different movies like The Dark Knight, Memento, Inception, and Oppenheimer, so seeing his take on a sword and sandals fantasy epic is undeniably intriguing.
The cast of The Odyssey also includes Matt Damon, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal, with Mia Goth recently boarding the project in what could be a non-speaking role (speculation she might be playing a siren has run rampant online).
"Christopher Nolan’s next film The Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology," Universal Pictures revealed last December. "The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to Imax film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026."
The Odyssey sails into theaters on July 17, 2026.