Feverish Filming Preparations Underway in Greece for Hollywood Epic “The Odyssey”
Feverish Filming Preparations Underway in Greece for Hollywood Epic “The Odyssey”
It’s the final countdown before filming for Christopher Nolan’s new Hollywood epic “The Odyssey” begins in Greece’s Messinia in western Peloponnese, with feverish preparations underway by massive production and filming crews that have settled in the area.
According to state broadcaster ERT, the paddles have been installed in both the 37-meter trireme that had been docked at the port city of Pylos since last month as well as in the smaller boats that will be part of the filming. Extras were seen boarding the boats to familiarize themselves with both the sea and with rowing.
Due to the good weather in the area, there are reports that filming (reportedly to officially begin around March 11) may begin earlier than scheduled, even at the end of the week, at the Almyrolakkas beach in Gialova. The area has been cordoned off by production crews for several days now, along with the wider area of Voidokilia, where the hidden cave of Nestoras is located and inside which, filming is expected to take place as well. The cave is not open to visitors who, however, when they reach the area can enjoy stunning views of the beach from afar.
The Ephorate of Antiquities of Messinia has issued a statement informing the public that the archaeological site of the Methoni Castle will be closed for the public from March 9 to March 13 due to “the filming of a movie production for which the Ministry of Culture has issued an approval decision.”
Methoni Castle is a medieval fortification in the port town of Methoni in Messinia, built by the Venetians in the early 13th century.
Around Almyrolakkas beach, there’s a frenzy of preparations by crews building the set. According to ERT, the production even uses a helicopter to transfer equipment and supplies to the filming location.
Accommodation occupancy in the area is almost at 100 percent with production crews numbering over 300 people and several Hollywood stars, who will be featured in Nolan’s much-awaited film expected to arrive in the coming days.
Other filming locations aside from Greece featured in star-studded film “The Odyssey”
After Oppenheimer grossed nearly $1 billion and won Best Picture, fans have been eagerly awaiting for Nolan’s next project. Mythic action movie “The Odyssey” is an adaptation of the Ancient Greek epic poem that follows Odysseus’ 10-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. According to Universal Pictures, the film is shot “across the world using brand new IMAX film technology” and has been given a massive budget of $250 million. The highly-anticipated movie is expected to open in theaters on July 17, 2026.
Matt Damon will play Odysseus in Christopher Nolan‘s upcoming epic “The Odyssey.” He will appear alongside an expansive cast including Tom Holland, Mia Goth, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal and John Leguizamo.
Damon’s role was revealed in February through the film’s official X account. The post included a photo of him in character and read, “Matt Damon is Odysseus. A film by Christopher Nolan, #TheOdysseyMovie is in theaters July 17, 2026.”
Aside from Greece, shooting will take place in Morocco, the UK, and throughout the Aeolian Islands in Sicily, Italy. One of the more notable filming locations was the island of Favignana in Sicily, which Odysseus and his crew visited in the classic fable.