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Film buffs’ expectations will be high for any Christopher Nolan movie. But, given The Odyssey‘s position as one of the most important works in Western literature, the iconic director faces a taller order than ever before. Empire just gave us a sneak peek of Nolan’s Greek epic behind the scenes. Surprisingly, the images underwhelmed many. Here’s why fans expected more from The Odyssey‘s production.

A 1st look at Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey was officially announced in December 2024. Universal Pictures revealed that the director would adapt Homer’s ancient Greek poem into a “mythic action epic” shot entirely on IMAX film.

Leading the cast is Matt Damon, who plays Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who struggles to return home after the Trojan War. He’s joined by a star-studded ensemble, including Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, and Benny Safdie.

Filming kicked off in February 2025 and continued through August 2025, covering a wide variety of international locations, including Morocco, Italy, Scotland, and Greece. The scale of the production is huge. It’s reportedly Nolan’s most expensive film to date, with a budget of around $250 million, and it will be the first feature ever shot entirely on IMAX 70 mm film.

Now that production has six months of filming under its belt, Nolan was ready to give the public a look. Empire magazine published several images in its January 2026 issue, which was released today. In the photos, you can see Damon, Zendaya, Pattinson, John Leguizamo, and others in character. The actors are wearing simple garments in beiges, taupes, and browns. The costumes are shockingly bland for a Greek epic set during a time when people wore colorful outfits using vibrant dyes.

Considering that Ellen Mirojnick is serving as The Odyssey’s costume designer, these choices surprise many. She previously collaborated with Nolan on Oppenheimer and is known for her work on films like Bridgerton and The Greatest Showman. With her incredible resume, Mirojnick can deliver incredible costumes — this we know for sure.

‘The Odyssey’ costumes don’t seem historically accurate so far

Fans took to Reddit to offer their opinions. “I’m hoping Athena is in disguise in this scene, cause it is certainly not giving Greek goddess,” one commented. Another agreed, noting that Odysseus goes into hiding by disguising himself as a beggar with help from Athena, played by Zendaya. “Has Nolan ever seen a statue or visual representation of Athena? That outfit is not it,” another wrote.

Several people thought they were looking at stills from Dune or Game of Thrones — “a boring version of both. Not really getting the ancient Greece vibes,” said a Reddit user. “Maybe an unpopular opinion, but a lot of costumes were really distinctive in GoT. These are just beige,” one commented.

These fans aren’t wrong. Ancient Greeks wore colorful outfits. In movies and art, we often see actors sporting plain white robes, but that’s largely a modern misconception. Ancient Greek clothing was often dyed, patterned, and decorated, especially among those who could afford it. Bright colors signified wealth or importance, and Greek statues were brilliantly colored, too. “The paint on ancient statues and paintings has faded, but they originally displayed bold bright colors and variety in fashion trends,” one user wrote.

As excitement builds for The Odyssey’s premiere, slated for July 17, 2026, Nolan’s creative choices are certainly sparking debate. Fans expected a sweeping visual tribute to ancient Greece — one rich in color, symbolism, and historical detail. Instead, the muted palette and minimalist costuming have raised concern that the legendary poem’s spirit may be lost in translation.

Still, Nolan is known for surprises. These preview photos may only hint at a much larger vision. If his past work is any indication, The Odyssey could still deliver an epic worthy of Homer — one that rewards patience and unfolds in layers. Until then, audiences will be watching closely.

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