As Christopher Nolan continues filming The Odyssey overseas, a rumor surfaces that Lupita Nyong’o is playing the Greek goddess Athena in the film.
In The Odyssey, Athena plays a crucial role as the goddess of wisdom, war, and strategy, serving as Odysseus’ divine protector and guide. She frequently intervenes to aid Odysseus and his son, Telemachus, ensuring their survival and success in their respective journeys.
Matt Damon is confirmed to be playing Odysseus. It’s thought Tom Holland is playing his son Telemachus.
The Lupita Nyong’o as Athena rumor in The Odyssey comes via a Christopher Nolan fan account on X who has been leaking set images and showing off BTS images of the cast including Damon, Holland, and Jon Bernthal.
I heard that Lupita Nyong'o is going to play Athena in Christopher Nolan’s ‘THE ODYSSEY’ pic.twitter.com/zEey90fWvR
— Christopher Nolan Art & Updates (@NolanAnalyst) March 2, 2025
Who also stars?
The rest of the cast includes Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, with Himesh Patel, Bill Irwi, Benny Safdie, Samantha Morton, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Jesse Garcia, Will Yun Lee, Mia Goth and Corey Hawkins.
Release info
From Universal Pictures, Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new Imax film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to Imax film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.
About The Odyssey
The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic written by Homer. The story follows Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, as he faces a perilous ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters legendary challenges, including the Cyclops Polyphemus, the alluring Sirens, and the sorceress Circe.
(note: featured image of Lupita Nyong’o as Athena is fan art)
