Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey held its world premiere in London on Monday evening. The event featured appearances by stars including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya and Tom Holland. Early reactions from critics have been largely positive ahead of the July 17 release.
The film screened at Leicester Square's Odeon Luxe, drawing crowds and a cast that also included Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron and Elliot Page. Nolan introduced the screening and noted the large crew that worked on the production.
Matt Damon described the physical demands of the shoot as an 11 out of 10. Tom Holland said he skipped watching a World Cup match live to attend the premiere. Zendaya highlighted the story's ongoing relevance.
Critics shared early praise for the Universal Pictures release. Joshua Rothkopf of the L.A. Times called it staggering and pure cinema. IndieWire's Anne Thompson said Matt Damon could win Best Actor and labeled it the Best Picture contender to beat.
The Odyssey is the first narrative feature shot entirely on IMAX cameras. It is projected to open between $80 million and $100 million domestically.