First Look: Zendaya Spotted on the Set of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in Italy!

Zendaya has officially joined the set of Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey, currently filming in Italy.

During production, Zendaya was spotted on set, and some images were leaked online. It has been confirmed that she is playing the role of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom. See the images below.

In the images, we can also see Odysseus (Matt Damon), who appears very tired and aged. In Homer’s Odyssey, Athena assists Odysseus and Telemachus with divine powers throughout their epic journey and speaks up for them in the councils of the gods on Mount Olympus. She often appears in disguise as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus.

What is the Plot of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey?

The Odyssey will be a mythic action epic based on the ancient Greek poem by Homer. It tells the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. Set in the 8th century BC, after the ten-year Trojan War, the Greek hero Odysseus travels from Troy to Ithaca via Africa and southern Europe. His journey lasts an additional ten years, during which he faces many dangers, and all of his crewmates are killed.

In his absence, Odysseus is presumed dead, leaving his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, to deal with a group of unruly suitors competing for Penelope’s hand in marriage.

The film stars Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Circe, and Lupita Nyong’o as Calypso. Additionally, Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Robert Pattinson, Corey Hawkins, Nick E. Tarabay, Jimmy Gonzales, Maurice Compte, Michael Vlamis, Iddo Goldberg, Cosmo Jarvis, and Ryan Hurst have joined the film in undisclosed roles.

The Odyssey is being filmed using IMAX technology, including a “30% quieter camera,” which enhances clarity in dialogue recording and sound mixing. Additional improvements include a carbon fiber body for lighter operation and an LCD viewfinder.

Nolan will produce alongside his producing partner and wife, Emma Thomas, under their Syncopy banner. According to Puck, the film will have a $250 million budget, making it one of Nolan’s most expensive films ever.

The Odyssey will hit theaters and IMAX on July 17, 2026, by Universal Pictures.