🔗 Share this article Watch the Director's The Odyssey Trailer the Way It Wasn't Meant to Be Seen. The acclaimed filmmaker's mythic action epic, The Odyssey, stands as a movie we've been eagerly awaiting ever since it was revealed. It firmly sits as one of the most awaited films of 2026. As a pre-Christmas treat, a preview has now been released, even if it's compromised by YouTube's poor compression—maybe illustrating the director's choice to restrict the trailer solely for theatrical audiences. The Initial Look at the Legendary Cast This first look reveals Matt Damon in the role of Odysseus. We also see Tom Holland as Telemachus alongside Anne Hathaway as Penelope. In a poignant moment, the character pleads with Odysseus to promise he will return, only for him to respond by asking what occurs should he fail. The trailer also offers a quick, obscured look of the mythical one-eyed giant, from whom sheep are are taken by the hero and his men during their arduous journey. Based upon a foundational pillar in classic storytelling, The Odyssey follows the epic journey of the legendary King of Ithaca. After his triumph at Troy, as told within the companion epic, the king faces an extended and hazardous return to his homeland. Mythical Encounters and a Star-Studded Lineup Along his path, the hero encounters countless challenges and legendary creatures. This roster features the enchantress Circe, known for turning humans into pigs, and the deceptive Sirens. Despite these trials, his sworn oath is to do whatever it takes to reunite with Penelope and Telemachus in Ithaca. This film's ensemble is remarkably star-studded. Joining Damon, Holland, and Hathaway are Charlize Theron as the cunning Circe, together with Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal. A Tale of Many Adaptations The classic poem has inspired many reinterpretations throughout history. These range from modern retellings to a 1999 ballet. There has even been a stage musical adaptation called Epic: The Musical, released in the form of a nine-album collection. A full-length preview has been highly anticipated since the film's announcement and a brief teaser which was initially shown exclusively in theaters. That teaser subsequently found its way onto the internet shortly thereafter. To see a clearer version, the preview available via the film's official social channel may provide enhanced visual quality. The Odyssey will debut on global IMAX screens on July 17, 2026.