Tom Holland to play lead role in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

The release date has been confirmed as well

One of the oldest works of literature that is still read to this day, Homer's epic poem is believed to be written in the eight century BC.

The work, which is more than 12,000 lines long, tells the story of Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he travels home following the Trojan War over the course of 10 years.

The Odyssey is best known for featuring tales such as Odysseus encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens and the witch-goddess Circe.

In a post on social media, Universal Pictures confirmed when the film was set to be released: "Christopher Nolan’s next film ‘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."

Tom Holland is set to play the lead role, via Deadline.

Although this has led many to assume he will star as Odysseus, many fans have pointed out he could also be playing Telemachus.

Telemachus is the son of Odysseus and Penelope, and is a central character in the tale.

Deadline also revealed in October that Matt Damon will once again be linking up with Nolan after working with him on his last film, Oppenheimer.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o and Charlize Theron will also be part of a stellar cast for The Odyssey adaptation.

It is expected the Odyssey adaptation will start shooting in early 2025.

The 2026 film will be Nolan's first film since Oppenheimer, a historical movie based on the life of the inventor of the nuclear bomb, J Robert Oppenheimer.

The movie was released in the summer of 2023 and grossed $977 million on a $100 million budget – something all the more impressive given its dark subject matter.

It also swept the Oscars, winning seven awards – including Best Picture, Best Director for Nolan and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy.

Pre-Oppenheimer, the filmmaker also made epics like The Dark Knight Trilogy, Dunkirk, Inception, Interstellar and Tenet.