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The Oscar Race Heats Up with The Odyssey

As we step into July 2026, the competition for the 99th Academy Awards in 2027 is already underway. Christopher Nolan's cinematic interpretation of Homer's classic poem, The Odyssey, has emerged as a frontrunner following its screenings for Academy voters. Initial feedback from these global screenings suggests that The Odyssey is poised to challenge the record for the most nominations set by Sinners earlier this year. Here’s a recap of the industry screenings for Nolan's groundbreaking film, which is notable for being entirely filmed using IMAX technology.

Praise from Oscar Voters for The Odyssey Oscar voters praise Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey

Reports indicate that screenings took place in Los Angeles, New York City, and London for members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), who are responsible for determining Oscar nominations. The Los Angeles screening showcased the film in 70mm at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, which was nearly filled to capacity. Anonymous reactions from attendees highlighted Nolan as "the definitive filmmaker of our time," with many describing the nearly three-hour film as "spectacular." One actor likened the film to an NBA All-Star game of acting, praising performances from Matt Damon, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Robert Pattinson, and Anne Hathaway. They remarked, "Good luck to those of us with films releasing later this year."

Matt Damon's Performance Stands Out

While Matt Damon previously won an Oscar for co-writing Good Will Hunting (1997) alongside Ben Affleck, one voter expressed deep admiration for his portrayal of Odysseus, stating, "I think Matt has to win the Oscar. He has to." Although numerous films are yet to debut in the coming months, along with major film festivals like Telluride, Venice, and Toronto showcasing additional Oscar hopefuls, The Odyssey is sure to remain a topic of discussion.

The Ensemble Cast and Filming Locations More about The Odyssey

The film features a stellar ensemble cast, including Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Himesh Patel, and Samantha Morton. Shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema using IMAX technology, the adaptation was filmed in stunning locations such as Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, the Western Sahara, and Malta.

In India, The Odyssey has emerged as the highest-grossing Hollywood film of the year, surpassing the Rs 100 crore milestone. This marks the second time a Nolan film has achieved this feat, following the success of Oppenheimer in 2023. The film garnered Rs 70 crore during its opening weekend.