Username
LOG OUT
To mark the release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, in cinemas July 17, we’ve teamed up with Universal Pictures to create an epic creative competition, with a standout prize, and free learning sequence. Everyday Epic invites students on an invigorating voyage exploring classical poetry, challenging journeys, and cinematic storytelling.
The assembly-style resource offers learners aged 15+ an accessible entry point into Homer’s Odyssey, one of the greatest stories ever told. Reflection, writing and film analysis activities support curriculum objectives from English Literature, PSHE, Classical Civilisation and Media Studies.
From epic poem to groundbreaking generation-defining cinematic event, The Odyssey emerges for a new audience this summer.
Visionary director Christopher Nolan brings this epic tale into a new age with a breathtaking big-screen adaptation shot entirely using IMAX®.
Joining Odysseus's obstacle-filled journey home after the Trojan war, learners will be immersed in a sweeping saga of perseverance and hope. Engaging with the action-packed adventure via the film's trailer, young people will reflect on formative journeys from their own lives and consider how overcoming challenges helps build resilience.
They'll develop their understanding of epic poetry and filmmaking before flexing their creativity with a competition challenging them to make the everyday epic.
DOWNLOAD NOW
Inspired by the colossal scale of The Odyssey, this competition challenges learners to bring grand storytelling vision to an everyday event from their lives and reimagine it as an epic tale.
Students can choose their preferred medium – drawing, filmmaking, or writing. In just 6 illustrations or shots, or 600 words, they should channel the innovation and ambition of Christopher Nolan to make the everyday epic.
The best entry will win a brand-new Apple iPad and Sony ZV-E10 vlogging camera, and two runners up will each receive a The Odyssey merchandise pack.
Submit entries ahead of the closing date of Friday 4 September 2026. Terms and conditions apply
Christopher Nolan’s 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.
The Odyssey stars Academy Award® winner MATT DAMON (Good Will Hunting, The Martian) as Odysseus, king of Ithaca; BAFTA winner TOM HOLLAND (Spider-Man series, Avengers: Endgame) as Odysseus’ son, Telemachus; Academy Award® winner ANNE HATHAWAY (Les Misérables, The Dark Knight Rises) as Penelope, queen of Ithaca and wife of Odysseus; ROBERT PATTINSON (The Batman, Good Time) as Antinous, an Ithacan suitor of Penelope; Academy Award® winner LUPITA NYONG’O (12 Years a Slave, Us) in dual roles as Helen of Troy, queen of Sparta, and as Helen’s half-sister Clytemnestra, queen of Mycenae; two-time Academy Award® nominee SAMANTHA MORTON (In America, Sweet and Lowdown) as Circe, a powerful sorceress; Emmy winner JOHN LEGUIZAMO (Moulin Rouge!, Romeo + Juliet) as Eumaeus, a faithful servant to Odysseus; Emmy and Golden Globe winner ZENDAYA (Challengers, Euphoria) as the goddess Athena; Academy Award® winner CHARLIZE THERON (Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster) as Calypso, an immortal nymph.
Emmy winner JON BERNTHAL (The Bear, The Walking Dead) plays Menelaus, king of Sparta and husband of Helen of Troy; Emmy nominee HIMESH PATEL (Tenet, Yesterday) is Eurylochus, the second-in-command to Odysseus’ crew; Tony Award winner BILL IRWIN (Interstellar, Legion) plays Cyclops, a one-eyed giant; Academy Award® nominee ELLIOT PAGE (Inception, Juno) is Sinon, a Greek warrior; Emmy winner BENNY SAFDIE (Oppenheimer, Good Time) plays Agamemnon, king of Mycenae; ten-time Grammy nominee TRAVIS SCOTT (soundtrack on Tenet, The Fate of the Furious) is Bard, a poet and storyteller; Emmy nominee COREY HAWKINS (Straight Outta Compton, BlacKkKlansman) plays Polybus, an Ithacan suitor; and MIA GOTH (Frankenstein, Pearl) is Melantho, a servant of Queen Penelope.
The Odyssey is written for the screen and directed by CHRISTOPHER NOLAN, based on Homer’s Odyssey. It is produced by EMMA THOMAS and CHRISTOPHER NOLAN for their company, Syncopy. The executive producer is THOMAS HAYSLIP.
The film’s director of photography is Academy Award® winner HOYTE VAN HOYTEMA, asc, fsf, nsc (Oppenheimer, Dunkirk) and the production designer is Academy Award® nominee RUTH DE JONG (Oppenheimer, Us). The costumes are designed by Academy Award® nominee ELLEN MIROJNICK (Oppenheimer, Bridgerton) and the makeup designer is Academy Award® nominee LUISA ABEL (Oppenheimer, Tenet). The hair designer is Academy Award® nominee GLORIA CASNY (The Lone Ranger, Ford v. Ferrari).
The film’s editor is Academy Award® winner JENNIFER LAME, ace (Oppenheimer, Tenet) and the music is by three-time Academy Award® winner LUDWIG GÖRANSSON (Oppenheimer, Sinners). The visual effects supervisor is Academy Award® winner ANDREW JACKSON (Oppenheimer, Tenet) and the special effects supervisor is two-time Academy Award® winner SCOTT R. FISHER (Oppenheimer, Tenet).
The co-producers are ANDY THOMPSON (Oppenheimer, Tenet) and HELEN MEDRANO (associate producer on Oppenheimer, Tenet) and the casting is by two-time Emmy winner JOHN PAPSIDERA, csa (Oppenheimer, Tenet).
Christopher Nolan’s films, including Oppenheimer, Tenet, Dunkirk, Interstellar, Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy, have earned more than $6 billion at the global box office and have been awarded 18 Oscars® from 49 nominations. In 2023, Oppenheimer earned almost $1 billion worldwide and went on to win seven Academy Awards®, including for Directing and Best Picture.
Christopher Nolan
The Odyssey stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton with Zendaya and Charlize Theron.
The Odyssey is produced by Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan for their company, Syncopy. The executive producer is Thomas Hayslip.
Classification
This resource has been commissioned by Universal Pictures to support the release of The Odyssey.