Before Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey,' You Need To Watch 'Troy' Actorsvaultpro

While waiting for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, this 2004 sword-and-sandal war movie is a must-watch. Following the astounding success of Oppenheimer, movie fans are already preparing for the filmmaker’s next project, an adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey, which is slated to hit theaters in Summer 2026. The film’s cast is led by Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, and many more, combining with the epic material to make for a massive-scale production that can rival Nolan’s previous work.

The story of The Odyssey is actually something of a sequel, though in the nearly three thousand years since its creation, it’s developed such an esteemed reputation that it holds up on its own. That said, it’s still crucial to understand the basic narrative of the Trojan War, which is told in Homer’s Iliad, and serves as a pretext to The Odyssey. For anyone who isn’t looking to dive into a massive text of ancient literature, the 2004 film Troy is an excellent alternative, as, although it takes notable creative liberties with the material, it still nails most of the crucial dynamics.

‘Troy’ is a Perfect Prequel to Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

Brad Pitt as Achilles in Troy

Warner Bros. Pictures

For anyone who’s into war epics like Gladiator and Braveheart or just wants to get a bearing on the story of the Trojan War before The Odyssey, I strongly encourage looking past Troy’s mixed reviews and giving this one a shot. The Brad Pitt-led film has an outstanding ensemble cast, from young Orlando Bloom to Rose Byrne to acting legends like Brian Cox and Peter O’Toole. Not to mention Sean Bean, who plays Odysseus, the titular character whom Matt Damon will portray in Christopher Nolan’s film.

The film script was penned by Game of Thrones co-creator and author David Benioff, and before Wolfgang Peterson (Das Boot) took over to direct, Christopher Nolan was actually offered the job. Luckily for superhero fans, Nolan prioritized Batman Begins instead, but it’s interesting to think about how the film might be different with his direction. Time and legacy are prevalent themes throughout, and it’s certainly material suited to Nolan’s strengths.

One major difference between Troy and Nolan’s version of The Odyssey, at least from what’s been reported so far, is the inclusion of the Greek Gods. The gods play a prevalent role in Homer’s Iliad, but Troy shifts the story to focus on the human characters, just barely hinting at the mystical elements at play. The Odyssey would be impossible to depict without the mythological components, and audiences should expect Matt Damon’s Odysseus to come across some of the gods and monsters of Ancient Greece in his journey.