Christopher Nolan Explains How Batman Led Him To ‘The Odyssey’

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Christopher Nolan recently revealed in an interview that he jokingly considers Batman Begins a “second chance” project. He explained that he was initially set to direct Troy but didn’t get the opportunity, so Batman Begins became his next film at Warner Bros.

While promoting his new film, an adaptation of The Odyssey, the director discussed recent changes in the studio’s plans. He’s excited to finally bring this ancient Greek story to life, something he’s wanted to do for twenty years.

Nolan Wanted To Direct Troy

Christopher Nolan revealed to Empire that Warner Bros. initially approached him about directing Troy (the 2004 film with Brad Pitt). However, the studio later changed plans. Wolfgang Petersen, who had been working on Troy, took over the project again after his Batman vs. Superman movie was canceled. This then led Warner Bros. to offer Nolan the chance to direct Batman and The Dark Knight, launching his famous trilogy.

According to an interview with Empire, I was first offered the directing job for Troy. Wolfgang Petersen had been developing the film, and when the studio decided against his superhero project (Batman vs. Superman), he asked to return to Troy.

I’m hearing Nolan’s really been diving deep into Greek mythology lately, and it sounds like it’s become a real passion project for him. Apparently, he’s had some very specific visions for things like the Trojan Horse for quite a while now – ideas that stuck with him even after he finished with his superhero films. It’s exciting to think about where he’ll take this – it clearly isn’t just a fleeting interest.

Nolan explained he’d been fascinated by the story for years. “I was really eager to explore this world,” he said, adding that specific visuals and details, like how to depict the Trojan horse, had been on his mind for a long time.

The Ideas Never Left

Nolan explained he was drawn to adapting The Odyssey because Hollywood hasn’t created a large-scale, modern mythological epic like the Ray Harryhausen films he loved as a child. He feels this type of story deserves to be told with a significant budget and the immersive quality of IMAX.

Nolan explained that as a filmmaker, he’s always searching for fresh ideas. He noticed a lack of large-scale, high-quality cinematic adaptations of mythology, something he felt could be amazing with a big Hollywood budget and IMAX technology, building on the classic films he enjoyed growing up, like those by Ray Harryhausen.

The Odyssey Arrives in 2026

Following the success of Oppenheimer – which won seven Academy Awards and almost made $1 billion globally – Christopher Nolan is partnering with a major studio again for The Odyssey. The film is scheduled to be released in IMAX on July 17, 2026.

The movie boasts a huge cast, including stars like Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, and Mia Goth.

Batman return?

Rumors are circulating that Christopher Nolan might come back to direct a Batman film. This could even involve a collaboration with Zack Snyder, potentially reviving the SnyderVerse, but it all hinges on the outcome of the Warner Bros. Discovery sale.

David Goyer, the writer of The Dark Knight, recently mentioned he’d be willing to work on another Batman film if director Christopher Nolan ever decided to return. Christian Bale has expressed a similar willingness to rejoin the project.

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2025-11-22 23:33