After working together on Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan looks to have found a new role for Benny Safdie in his next event film as sources tell Deadline Safdie has joined the ensemble of Universal’s The Odyssey, Nolan’s adaptation of the classic Homer tale. He joins a cast that includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o and Charlize Theron.
Universal had no comment.
Last month, Universal revealed that Nolan’s follow-up to his Oscar-winning Oppenheimer would be an adaptation of the epic poem composed by Homer around the 8th century BCE.
“Christopher Nolan’s next film The Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new Imax film technology,” the studio said at the time. “The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to Imax film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.”
The ancient Greek poem is one of the foundational texts of Western literature. It tells the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, exploring themes of heroism, loyalty, cunning and the struggle against divine will. The tale includes iconic stories like Odysseus’ encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens and the witch-goddess Circe, culminating in a reunion with his wife Penelope.
The Odyssey is expected to start shooting next month and marks Nolan’s second for Universal, on the heels of Oppenheimer. Its 2026 release date falls in line with the window often reserved by that filmmaker, as was the case with the historical drama starring Cillian Murphy.
Safdie most recently completed production co-starring in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2 and, later this year, A24 will release his solo directorial debut, The Smashing Machine, a biopic of MMA fighter Mark Kerr starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
While Safdie became known for the directing work he did with this brother, he has built an acting resume that includes Lionsgate’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret; Claire Denis’ Palme d’Or nominated film The Stars at Noon, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s film Licorice Pizza.
He is repped by WME, Untitled, and Lichter Grossman. The Hollywood Reporter was first with the news on Safdie joining cast.
