Christopher Nolan‘s epic action fantasy film The Odyssey is currently in post–production, and still set for release in July 2026. Since it was conceived, certain details about the film have been kept secret, something that has become a tradition when it comes to Nolan’s often ambitious projects. However, as star Mia Goth has revealed, this doesn’t only regard the shooting of the film itself. The high level of secrecy has been crucial ever since the audition process began, with actors asked to confirm whether they wanted to be in the film without even having read the script.
Goth recently appeared on Josh Horowitz’s podcast, Happy Sad Confused, where she was able to share a few key details of Nolan’s highly anticipated release. The actor is fresh off the success of the Netflix production of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, and is planning to jump into hyperspace for the new Star Wars film, Starfighter. However, her most important upcoming project is The Odyssey, which will see her playing the myhtological character, Melantho. Goth describes the audition process, and while she says it is a privilege, she admits to having to say yes without knowing much about the character itself:
“I auditioned for The Odyssey. They gave me dummy sides, so it had nothing to do with the script. And then, I found out Chris wanted to meet me, and I remember driving over to Universal, being so nervous that I wanted to throw up. And I tried to tell myself what a privilege it is to even feel this.
And then I went there, and did the audition. I got the job, and then I found out that—I had to accept the job before I could even read the script and find out what the role was. So that was a new process. So I said, ‘Yeah, I’m in.’ And after that, they gave me the script.”
Shooting ‘The Odyssey’ Was “Completely Overwhelming and Totally Surreal”
Aside from the audition process, Goth also described the experience of shooting the film under Nolan’s well-known, strict style. She mentions Frankenstein as a project that was essential to her boosting up her confidence in order to land the Nolan project, and confirms all the suspicions about the dynamics inside Nolan’s sets. No cell phones, limited seating, and a sense of community.
“I think Frankenstein gave me a confidence that I was desperately in need of for a long time. So, I don’t think I could have done Nolan without having that experience with Guillermo first.
I step onto that set and, yeah, it’s completely overwhelming and surreal. But after a few days, it does feel like you’re all in it together, and you’re making the movie. And yes, it is this huge production, but it did feel very intimate. I think it’s a testament to how Nolan runs his set, which is a quite unique process too. No one returns to their trailers, no one ever leaves the set. There’s no mobile phones. There’s no chairs on the set. You can sit out back in the outskirts of the studio, but that’s kind of looked down upon. Everyone really is there, together.
And it’s amazing. And actually one of the great things about that, is the fact that you’re not coming in and out. As an actor, you really feel like you own that space. You’re in it the whole time, and it doesn’t feel as though, when the camera is on you, you don’t feel like you have to add anything extra. If that makes sense.”
The Odyssey is scheduled to be theatrically released in theaters by Universal Pictures on July 17, 2026.
- Release Date
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July 17, 2026
- Producers
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Emma Thomas