LAS VEGAS – Exciting news for movie lovers! At this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, acclaimed director Christopher Nolan gave a sneak peek of his highly anticipated film, “The Odyssey.” Scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, this adaptation of Homer’s timeless epic stars Matt Damon in the lead role of Odysseus.
Nolan expressed his passion for the story, stating, “‘The Odyssey’ is a story that has fascinated generation after generation for 3,000 years. It’s not a story, it’s the story.” He presented an extended clip showcasing the dramatic arrival of the Trojan Horse and the thrilling infiltration of Troy, as highlighted by Jon Bernthal’s character Menelaus, who refers to it as “the story of the horse.”
What makes this film even more remarkable is that it is the first ever shot entirely on IMAX film. Nolan has fulfilled a dream he held since he was 16 years old, utilizing cutting-edge cameras that promise a quieter filming experience.
The cast features an impressive lineup, including Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Odysseus’s devoted wife, Tom Holland as their son Telemachus, Zendaya portraying the goddess Athena, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous, one of Penelope’s suitors. Nolan humorously noted that it would be easier to list those who aren’t in the film, which marks his return to directing after the success of “Oppenheimer,” which won Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars in 2024.
Nolan emphasized the film’s central themes of family and homecoming, revealing that it is nearing completion.
The footage was part of Universal Pictures’ presentation at CinemaCon, where the studio also showcased a new “Minions” movie and Steven Spielberg’s upcoming original sci-fi film “Disclosure Day,” set to premiere this summer.
Nolan jokingly remarked, “I’m just really glad not to be following Steven Spielberg” during the event. Spielberg received a warm standing ovation, marking his first appearance at the convention, and was honored with an award from the Motion Picture Association. Colman Domingo, who stars in “Disclosure Day,” led a discussion with Spielberg about his 35th feature, which opens on June 12.
In discussing “Disclosure Day,” Spielberg shared his fascination with the sky and the UFO phenomenon, stating, “50 years after ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind,’ I’m convinced that there’s more truth to it than fiction.” He kept details about the film’s third act under wraps, saying, “All I can say is it’s an experience. And all you need to get from the beginning to the end is a seat belt.”
Spielberg also highlighted the importance of original stories in the film industry, stating, “That is what’s going to keep this business alive.”
The presentation featured a special performance by Snoop Dogg, who kicked off the event with “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and announced his partnership with Universal to tell his life story. Craig Brewer will direct the project, which is expected to be released next year. Snoop humorously added, “My movie will be rated R, you can believe that. So kids, get your parents’ permission.”
Universal is currently enjoying the success of “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” which has made over $631 million worldwide in just 15 days and is on track to become the year’s first billion-dollar movie. Donna Langley, Chairperson of NBC Universal Entertainment, announced that the studio will extend the exclusive theatrical window for all its films to 45 days starting in 2027.
“We’ve always been a theatrical-first studio,” Langley affirmed. While the traditional exclusive window was 90 days, the pandemic shifted the landscape, and Universal had previously experimented with shorter windows. This new policy provides assurance for theater owners, especially given the box office’s current struggles, which are at a 20% deficit from pre-pandemic levels.
In contrast, Disney currently has a 60-day window, which is still shorter than the old standard but longer than Universal’s upcoming policy. Spielberg concluded the presentation by emphasizing the need for studios to support theaters, saying, “Audiences will find what they want to watch whether they’re big or small. But studios need to help us by expanding their exclusive windows like Donna Langley just did.”
He cheekily added, “But today I’ve got to be greedy: Do I hear 60 days? … We can all make it happen; we have to insist on making it happen.”
