Nolan: Odyssey Shorter Than Oppenheimer's 3 Hours

Christopher Nolan disclosed that his upcoming adaptation of Homer's "The Odyssey" will run shorter than his previous film, "Oppenheimer," which clocked in at three hours. The director shared this detail in an interview with the Associated Press published Tuesday, ahead of the epic's theatrical release on July 17, 2026.

Nolan emphasized that the film remains grand in scope, matching the demands of the ancient Greek poem about Odysseus's perilous journey home from the Trojan War. "It's an epic film, as the subject matter demands," he said. "But it is shorter." The production marks a milestone as the first major feature shot entirely on IMAX film cameras, a technical choice Nolan said necessitated careful planning for projection compatibility. Footage previewed at CinemaCon in April showcased key sequences, including the Trojan Horse, the Cyclops encounter and undead figures rising, drawing praise from attendees for its scale.

Leading the cast is Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca striving to reunite with his family after two decades. Tom Holland portrays his son Telemachus, Anne Hathaway his steadfast wife Penelope, and Jon Bernthal plays Menelaus, king of Sparta. The...