Universal Repotedly Hires 5,000 Extras for Epic ‘The Odyssey’ Opening Scene in Morocco

A few months ago news broke that Nolan’s mysterious upcoming project is an adaptation of ‘The Odyssey.’ Universal Pictures announced that Christopher Nolan’s next movie is a global action epic based on Homer’s ‘The Odyssey.’ It will use new IMAX technology and hit theaters on July 17, 2026.

The movie already has a star-studded cast, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron. Production is expected to begin in early 2025, with Nolan writing and producing alongside Emma Thomas under their Syncopy banner.

Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ is one of the oldest stories that is still read today. It tells the tale of the Greek hero Odysseus and his challenging journey home after the Trojan War.

Filming for the movie has already started in the UK and Morocco, and the first leaked set video showcased a battle taking place. The video has since been removed from social media due to obvious reasons.

Now the latest insider information states that Universal is going all out for The Odyssey, with reports from Morocco revealing that around 5,000 extras were hired to film the movie’s massive opening scene in Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historical and cinematic significance.

To bring this grand vision to life, over 200 crew members spent two months constructing the elaborate set.

Adding to the spectacle, Christopher Nolan is using the latest IMAX camera to capture the scene.

Filming in the Aeolian Islands, located in Sicily, Italy, will begin in March. One key location is the island of Favignana, which is mentioned in the original poem. The movie will be filmed using advanced IMAX technology. The cinematographer, Hoyte van Hoytema, has worked with Christopher Nolan on several past films.

‘The Odyssey’ will be a massive epic, requiring impressive special effects to bring the world of Homer’s classic poem to life. The story will feature legendary creatures from Greek mythology, like sirens, cyclops, and the dangerous whirlpool Charybdis.

Recently, we covered inside reports that Nolan will not shy away from using his imagination to the fullest. Unlike grounded adaptations like ‘Troy,’ Nolan will embrace the mythical and fantastical elements of ‘The Odyssey,’ marking a new direction for him.

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