Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey set to become the first movie entirely shot with IMAX film cameras

2026 will mark an historic milestone with the release of “The Odyssey,” the upcoming film adaption of the renowned ancient Greek poem, which will make cinematic history as the very first movie ever to be filmed entirely using IMAX cameras while utilizing traditional film stock.

In recent years, the popularity of IMAX films has increased, in particular among Genration Z.

According to MotivatalMorgan, IMAX films are popular among Generation Z, as they offer immersive and high-quality entertainment that appeals to this demographic.

Unlike regular movie theaters, IMAX screenings are a unique experience themselves.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but be captivated by the extraordinary screen size and enveloping visual and auditory environments that IMAX cinemas offer. They truly redefine the concept of “cinematic escape,” immersing viewers in an unparalleled world of movie magic.

Additionally, there has been a growing trend of movies featuring at least some sequences captured by IMAX cameras or labeled as ‘produced for IMAX’ using certified IMAX equipment. For instance, the films “Sinners”, “Mission Impossible – Fallout”, and “Formula One” this year have all incorporated IMAX camera work in their production.

It’s truly thrilling to learn that renowned filmmaker Christopher Nolan is planning to release his upcoming blockbuster movie on the big screen, in a manner that promises to be especially captivating for IMAX enthusiasts.

In a novel development, Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, titled “The Odyssey,” is set to become the inaugural production filmed entirely using IMAX cameras on traditional film stock.

Keep in mind that the movie you’re referring to isn’t the inaugural one to employ Imax technology throughout. That distinction goes to “Avengers: Infinity War” released in 2018, a fact confirmed by The Verge.

Conversely, The Odyssey stands out as it is the inaugural film to be fully filmed using Imax, a distinction earned by being captured on actual film instead of digitally.

The movie is being actively made right now, and Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway are some of the talented actors involved.

Back on May 15th, during the hustle and bustle of the Cannes Film Festival, it was I who received a thrilling piece of news from none other than the CEO of IMAX, Rich Gelfond himself.

At a press gathering held during the Cannes Film Festival, Gelfond shared that Chris had contacted him saying, “If you can find solutions to these issues, I’ll produce [Odyssey] entirely in IMAX.” And that is exactly what we are now working on.

These problems included issues with, “scanning and processing the cameras’ 70 mm film stock.”

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Gelfond stated that advanced methods for film scanning and processing can lead to quicker delivery of daily footage.

For a number of years, Nolan has been known for breathing life into stories using the perspective of an IMAX camera. He made history in 2008 by being the first Hollywood filmmaker to employ IMAX cameras to capture selected action sequences, as demonstrated in The Dark Knight.

Apart from being familiar with creating historic moments through filmmaking, as time went by and he produced more highly praised films, Nolan increasingly utilized IMAX technology in his movie sequences.

In 2023, the Oscar-winning film “Oppenheimer” made headlines as the first motion picture to employ IMAX monochrome 65mm film.

As a movie buff, I can’t help but be thrilled by the news that a regular collaborator of Christopher Nolan is coming back for his upcoming film, “The Odyssey.” Given the stunning cinematography that has become synonymous with Nolan’s work, this collaboration promises visuals that will take our breath away.

Today we’re discussing Hoyte van Hoytema, a talented cinematographer who has collaborated with Christopher Nolan on several of his movies including “Interstellar,” “Dunkirk,” “Tenet,” and the upcoming film “Oppenheimer.

Filming the movie “Oppenheimer” using IMAX 65mm black-and-white technology contributed significantly to Hoytema receiving an Academy Award for his exceptional work as a cinematographer.

He is set to do the cinematography on The Odyssey.

Given their experience in filming movies using IMAX cameras, it’s logical that the team of Nolan and Hoytema would join forces again to shoot the entire production, not just individual scenes or digitally, but using IMAX cameras on actual IMAX film.

The emphasis on real cameras was a consequence that arose immediately from Oppenheimer’s impressive box office performance with IMAX, accounting for 20% of its total earnings, which amounted to $190 million.

In the future, it appears that films could be produced differently due to these new cameras used by Nolan during the filming of “The Odyssey”. After its completion, IMAX plans on renting out these cameras to other directors, as shared by The Hollywood Reporter.

According to a report from the LA Times in 2024, movies exhibited in IMAX theaters are earning larger box office revenues due in part to increased ticket costs. This attractive financial incentive is proving enticing for studios and filmmakers alike.

The report mentions that IMAX aims for its brand recognition to become so prominent that people choose its theaters before any others.

The movie to be made is based on “The Odyssey,” a lengthy epic poem originating from ancient Greek literature, penned by Homer. This tale, rich in both narrative depth and extensive length, hails from the realm of classical Greek literature.

As a fervent admirer of Christopher Nolan’s cinematic prowess, I can hardly contain my excitement at the prospect of him adapting the timeless tale of The Odyssey for the big screen in an unparalleled, grandiose manner. By filming exclusively with IMAX cameras, he promises to capture this epic saga on celluloid in a way that will leave audiences spellbound.

Universal Studios plans to unveil the movie adaptation of “The Odyssey.” According to Jim Orr, the distribution head at Universal Studios, this film is expected to be a groundbreaking, once-in-a-generation cinematic marvel that could make Homer himself feel honored.

The Odyssey is currently expected to be released in theaters on July 27, 2026.

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2025-05-20 16:14