New rumors surrounding Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey are stirring debate online, with fans now speculating that Elliot Page could be playing Elpenor or Achilles, and commenting that Lupita Nyong’o plays Helen of Troy (confirmed).
We have also put together a full The Odyssey cast heritage breakdown as Nolan’s casting choices continue to face scrutiny.
While Lupita Nyong’o has been confirmed as Helen of Troy, Universal and Nolan have not confirmed Elliot Page as Achilles, but that rumor has picked up traction following the new trailer and the latest round of online discussion about the film’s massive cast. For the full breakdown on release date, cast, and every casting question, see our complete Odyssey movie guide.
IGN also highlighted the speculation, asking if Elliot Page is playing Achilles and Lupita Nyong’o is playing Helen of Troy, noting these are among the Odyssey characters fans now want to know more about.
Nolan also explains casting Travis Scott.
Elliot Page Rumored As Achilles
The biggest rumor claims Elliot Page is playing Achilles, the tragic Greek hero from The Iliad.
Achilles is not a main character in The Odyssey in the same way Odysseus is, but he does appear in Homer’s story.
A newer rumor has since overtaken this one — see our breakdown of whether Page plays Elpenor or Achilles.
Odysseus encounters Achilles in the Underworld, where Achilles appears as a ghost.
Odysseus also meets Agamemnon there, giving the story a direct connection back to the Trojan War and the events of The Iliad.
Lupita Nyong’o Rumored As Helen of Troy
Another rumor claims Black Panther star Lupita Nyong’o is playing Helen of Troy.
Nyong’o’s past exit from The Woman King has also resurfaced amid The Odyssey backlash, with critics connecting it to her previous comments about cultural representation.
Helen is one of the most famous figures tied to the Trojan War. Her leaving Menelaus for Troy — depending on the version, by choice or by force — sparks the war that sits behind both The Iliad and The Odyssey.
Helen does appear in The Odyssey, though not as a major figure. Telemachus visits Helen and Menelaus to learn what happened to his father, Odysseus, who has been missing for years after the war.
Jon Bernthal is shown in the new trailer as Menelaus, fueling speculation about who could be playing Helen.
Nyong’o’s role has since been confirmed — see who Lupita Nyong’o plays in The Odyssey.
IMDb lists Nyong’o and Elliot Page among the ensemble, while also noting several confirmed roles, including Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron as Calypso, Zendaya as Athena, and others.
Nolan Says The Odyssey Is For Modern Audiences
Nolan has also made it clear that The Odyssey is being made for audiences who may not have read Homer.
While recently appearing on Stephen Colbert, Nolan said the movie is “really for people who haven’t read it” and “don’t know anything about it,” while still respecting those who have a deeper relationship with the literature.
Nolan also said Greek mythology has not been done on this kind of massive studio scale. He grew up with movies such as Clash of the Titans and the work of Ray Harryhausen, but said he wanted to see The Odyssey made with a major studio budget and a full cinematic push.
He called The Odyssey “one of the great adventure stories” and said he wanted to see it “done justice.”
Rumors first surfaced back in January. Elon Musk responded at the time, “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.”
Release Info
The Odyssey opens in theaters on July 17, 2026. Universal’s official site lists the film as “A film by Christopher Nolan” and confirms it was shot entirely with IMAX film cameras.
The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, who tries to return home after the Trojan War. Tom Holland plays his son, Telemachus, Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, and Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, one of the suitors.
The story follows Odysseus on his dangerous journey back to Ithaca as his family and kingdom face pressure at home. The trailer also teases major mythological elements including the Cyclops and Charybdis.
