Tom Holland Will Take on the Lead Role in Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY Despite Previous Matt Damon Rumors

Matt Damon was the first actor to be cast in director Christopher Nolan’s next film at Universal, which Nolan is writing, directing, and producing.

The movie was unknown at the time it was announced, but we found out last month that the movie he’s making is The Odyssey, based on Homer’s epic Greek poem that chronicles the challenging journey of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he strives to return home following the Trojan War.

Because Damon was the first actor to be locked in and announced, it was deduced that he would play the lead role in the film, but it looks like his co-star Tom Holland will actually be taking on that starring role.

Deadline reports that Holland is taking on the led role, and he and Damon will star in the film alongside Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron.

Though the characters in the film have not been named, one can assume that Holland will be playing a younger take on Odysseus.

We will have to wait and see how Nolan’s vision for The Odyssey will take shape, but as a fan of his other films, I have confidence that we will end up with a pretty great film. The Odyssey is expected to be released in theaters on July 17, 2026.