Christopher Nolan defends The Odyssey’s modern dialogue: “It Was a No-Brainer”
The filmmaker explains why his adaptation abandons the classic Hollywood epic style.
Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, ‘The Odyssey’, is just a few days away from hitting theaters. This adaptation of Homer’s epic poem has sparked quite a bit of controversy—from its cast to its “fidelity” to a mythological story, and even the way it portrays the language. Nolan decided to have the characters speak with a much more colloquial accent than the classic British accent typically used in Hollywood epic films. And Nolan explains why.
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Nolan explained that his intention with ‘The Odyssey’ was to find “language that has emotional, not intellectual, meaning for people,” which is why a more contemporary language seemed ideal to him. However, Nolan acknowledges that this could backfire, even though for him it was a no-brainer. “I was maybe being naïve; it might bite me in the ass, but I wanted an earthy narrative. To me, it was a no-brainer.”
A similar situation has arisen with the cast, a topic that some social media users have spoken out about, complaining about certain casting choices. With Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, Zendaya as the goddess Athena, and even the public’s mistaken belief that Elliot Page would play Achilles, these are choices that have drawn attention. In response, Nolan explains that he sought out these actors because, in a way, familiar faces can help tell this story. “These are mythological figures, iconic in some ways,” he says. “I wanted to cast it big, get the finest bunch of actors.”
Early Reviews Are Positive for ‘The Odyssey’
Despite all the “controversy” surrounding this film, the first reviews and comments from critics have been overwhelmingly positive. Some have called the film “incredible,” while others have described it as “an absolute triumph and a crowning cinematic achievement.”
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‘The Odyssey’ hits theaters on July 17, 2026.
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