Universal Pictures has released a new trailer for The Odyssey, and the footage of Christopher Nolan‘s next movie avoids a popular Hollywood trend.
The Odyssey is a mythic action epic based on Homer’s foundational saga. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, who embarks on a treacherous journey home following the Trojan War. The cast includes Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy/Clytemnestra, Zendaya as Athena, and Charlize Theron as Calypso.
Nolan writes and directs The Odyssey, a film shot using brand-nebw Imax film technology. The Odyssey opens in theaters on July 17.
The Odyssey trailer review
Too many trailers are revealing major plot points, effectively taking away the surprise and intrigue of a movie. Sometimes, this strategy works. Look at Project Hail Mary, a movie that grossed $683 million despite spoiling the Rocky reveal in the trailer.
More often than not, this usually results in online backlash that negatively affects the movie. Terminator Genisys is a famous example of fans being outraged that the twist — John Connor is now a T-3000 Terminator — was spoiled in the trailer. The movie underperformed at the box office and never lived up to the massive expectations.
The Odyssey’s new trailer is the ideal combination of new and old footage. There are several new looks at Odysseus, Telemachus, Penelope, and Antinous. However, much of the action, including Odysseus leading his troops into battle and a memorable naval encounter, has been reused. It’s a savvy decision — the trailer feels fresh despite including several previously revealed moments.
You might be thinking, how can a movie based on an epic poem be spoiled? Well, for starters, not everyone has read The Odyssey. More importantly, audiences do not know how Nolan will approach pivotal moments in the story. These ideas could’ve been shown beforehand.
The biggest takeaway from the new trailer is its emphasis on timing. It’s labeled the “countdown trailer,” as the footage highlights that The Odyssey will finally hit theaters in two weeks. The hype for Nolan’s epic is through the roof; Many moviegoers probably don’t need another trailer. Altogether, the new Odyssey trailer is satisfactory and does its job without revealing much.
