Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey Utilizes Over 2 Million Feet of Film
A famous director named Christopher Nolan is making a movie about the ancient Greek story, 'The Odyssey.'
He used a huge amount of film, more than 2 million feet, to shoot it.
The movie was filmed completely using IMAX cameras, which use a lot of film.
Nolan wanted to make the movie feel very real, so he filmed on the actual ocean and on real boats.
He said this helps show how difficult those sea trips were for people long ago.
He also wanted to make big stories about myths feel as important and believable as modern, big-budget movies.
The movie stars Matt Damon as the main hero, Odysseus, and Tom Holland as his son, Telemachus.
It's expected to come out in the summer of 2026.
Christopher Nolan used over 2 million feet of film for his upcoming adaptation of Homer's 'The Odyssey.'
The film was shot entirely on IMAX cameras and on real open water to capture the harsh realities of ancient sea journeys.
Nolan aimed to create mythological cinema with the weight and credibility of a major Hollywood production.
Principal photography for the film concluded in August.
The adaptation, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus and Tom Holland as Telemachus, is slated for a July 2026 release.
- Who
- Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and the cast playing Odysseus's crew
- What
- Christopher Nolan revealed that over 2 million feet of film were used for his adaptation of Homer's 'The Odyssey,' shot entirely on IMAX and filmed on real seas to convey the harsh realities of ancient journeys.
- When
- Principal photography wrapped in August, and the film is scheduled for release in July 2026.
- Where
- Filmed on open water and in real locations.
- Why
- Nolan aimed to bring a sense of realism and credibility to mythological cinema, capturing the difficulty of ancient sea journeys.
Comparison to other productions
Nolan's filming approach
Footage Usage
Comparison to other productions
While Nolan's film used over 2 million feet of film, the context of IMAX format, which consumes stock rapidly, is important. Specific total hours of raw footage were not provided.
Nolan's filming approach
Nolan utilized over 2 million feet of film, emphasizing the desire to capture the hardship and reality of ancient sea journeys by shooting on the actual sea and in real locations.
- Director
- Christopher Nolan
- Film Used
- Over 2 million feet
- Filming Format
- Entirely on IMAX
- Principal Photography Completion
- August
- Release Date
- July 2026
- Actors
- Matt Damon (Odysseus), Tom Holland (Telemachus)
Sources
The Odyssey: Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Mia Goth's Gripping First Look From Christopher Nolan's Epic OUT
Christopher Nolan reveals 2 million feet of film used for epic movie adaptation as world gets first look at The Odyssey