Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o has been confirmed to play two key characters in The Odyssey movie by Christopher Nolan, an adaptation of the ancient Greek epic.
Christopher Nolan made the confirmation in an exclusive interview with Time magazine.
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Nyong'o will play Helen of Troy, known as the most beautiful woman in the world, and Clytemnestra, Helen's sister.
This dual role marks Nolan's artistic freedom in reinterpreting Homer's classic tale, promising greater character depth and complexity.
'The Odyssey' itself is an epic fantasy adaptation of Homer's ancient poem, scheduled for release on July 17, 2026.
This ambitious project will utilize new IMAX film technology and be produced by Universal Pictures.
Lupita Nyong'o: A Stunning Dual Role
In 'The Odyssey', Lupita Nyong'o will bring to life Helen of Troy, the wife of King Menelaus, played by Jon Bernthal.
Helen is known as the instigator of the Trojan War in Greek mythology, after being kidnapped by Prince Paris.
Nolan plans to expand Helen's narrative, particularly regarding her life after the Trojan War, which will add a new dimension to her character.
In addition to Helen, Nyong'o will also play Clytemnestra, Helen's sister and wife of Agamemnon (played by Benny Safdie).
In mythology, Helen and Clytemnestra are half-sisters who share a mother, Leda, but have different fathers.
The relationship between Helen and Clytemnestra is depicted as complex in Nolan's version.
Clytemnestra's marriage to Agamemnon is described as "fraught with strife" or "toxic," adding intrigue to the plot.
Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey': A Realistic Interpretation of Greek Mythology
'The Odyssey' was directed and written by Christopher Nolan, known for his innovative works.
Nolan drew inspiration from Emily Wilson's 2017 translation of 'The Odyssey,' aiming to create a realistic interpretation of Greek mythology.
Nolan takes artistic liberties to present a more realistic and insightful interpretation of Greek mythology, including in his depiction of family dynamics and the emotional consequences of the epic's events.
Universal Pictures announced the film's release in late 2024 and said it would be shot using "new IMAX film technology," promising an immersive cinematic experience.
Nolan also produced the film with his wife, Emma Thomas.
Casts and Release Date
The film's star-studded cast includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Calypso, Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, and Benny Safdie as Agamemnon.
Travis Scott will also appear as a bard, a casting choice Nolan intended to connect oral poetry with rap.
The film was shot partly on the open sea and in various locations around the world, including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, Western Sahara, and Malta.
'The Odyssey' is scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, 2026.