Tom Holland Is The Wrong Lead For Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey Unless The Story Is Changing

Tom Holland Is The Wrong Lead For Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey Unless The Story Is Changing

Tom Holland is reportedly starring in Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's classic poem. He is the wrong choice to play Odysseus but could be the lead in a specific kind of adaptation.

Editorial Opinion
By ChandlerMcniel - Jan 22, 2025 03:01 PM EST
Filed Under: Fantasy

When the news broke that Christopher Nolan’s next movie would be an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, I was ecstatic. I did feel a bit sorry for the cast and creators of The Return, another movie released in the past six months that adapted The Odyssey, as that movie did not receive the attention it deserved and now will forever be overshadowed by Christopher Nolan’s project. 

Attached to the project, so far, are Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron. All of them are phenomenal actors. Unless Nolan is gender swapping the role of Odysseus, one, maybe two of them seem like they would be ripe for the role.

It's being reported that Tom Holland will play the lead of the movie. If that is Odysseus, it is the wrong choice. While Tom Holland is a great actor, he should not portray the Greek hero.

If Christopher Nolan's adaptation stays true to the poem, possible spoilers below. 

If you’ve never read The Odyssey, the story revolves around Odysseus, the legendary fictional Greek warrior, and his journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Most scholars accept that the story is fictional, although there is a small amount of evidence to show that the city of Troy was real. Odysseus is the soldier who came up with the idea for the famous Trojan Horse, a huge, hollow, wooden horse given to the city of Troy as a gift that was truly a way to smuggle soldiers inside the city. This allows the Greeks to infiltrate the city and win the war. The Odyssey takes place after all of this. 

In The Odyssey, Odysseus’ age is not specified. However, the Trojan War lasted ten years and it takes nine years for Odysseus to return home. Feel free to check my math, but that's twenty years total. Tom Holland is currently 28, but certainly looks young enough to portray a twenty year old.

When Odysseus sails for Troy, he is already the well beloved king of the city state of Ithaca in Greece. Again, his age is not specified, but it's widely accepted that he was in his early or mid thirties. Odysseus inherited his kingdom from his father and for him to hold an entire kingdom and a very high position in the Greek military, it would make sense for him to be this age. By the time the Trojan War ends, he is in his early to mid forties. When he finally makes it home, he is likely in his fifties. 

On top of his age, Odysseus is described as a very large, muscular, intimidating man. Below, you'll find the cover of The Wanderings of Odysseus by Rosemary Sutcliff, which is a shortened retelling of the Odyssey, on which Odysseus is front and center. 

There's a reason Tom Holland is cast as a teenager or a very young man in nearly everything he stars in: he looks very young. In no way does he resemble Odysseus. Yes, actors do not always need to resemble the impossible physique of the character they are portraying, but, in this case, it does directly affect the plot of the story. There are several parts of The Odyssey that could not be portrayed accurately if Odysseus does not have the strength of a very large person. One of the best scenes in the poem revolves around Odysseus creating a dramatic challenge to prove to his wife that he is truly him and ward off the one hundred nine suitors attempting to marry her. It requires someone to string his old bow, which is a huge hunting bow, then fire it accurately through multiple targets. The suitors all fail at this because they are simply not strong enough. Odysseus does it with perfect ease.

Of course, there are ways around this. Some scenes could simply be excluded from the story, but I'm a believer in staying mostly true to source material. 

If Holland truly is playing Odysseus, maybe he's only playing a younger version of him. He could play Odysseus in flashbacks or Odysseus on the way to Troy. However, I think that would be a misuse of his acting capabilities. Holland is much better suited for the role of Telemachus, Odysseus’ son. 

When Odysseus sails for Troy, Telemachus is either a toddler or a baby. By the time Odysseus returns home, he is about twenty nine, the exact age Holland will be when the movie releases. Holland is quite literally perfect for this role. Telemachus is not just a side character. There is a detailed plot line about Telemachus feeling turmoil over the disappearance of his father and the men trying to take the throne that is rightfully his. In fact, Holland being “the lead” of the movie could potentially work if the entire story is told from the viewpoint of Telemachus. This would make for a fantastic story many fans of The Odyssey would love to see.

If Holland has been cast as Odysseus, this would be a mistake especially as Matt Damon and Robert Pattinson are attached to the film. That isn’t to say they are necessarily perfect choices, but they are better choices at least. However, Holland would make for a perfect Telemachus to explore one of the best side plots of The Odyssey or tell the entire story from that character’s point of view. 

Let me know what you think in the comments!

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Drace24
Drace24 - 1/22/2025, 3:03 PM
I don't understand why they insist on turning him into an action hero. He works as Peter Parker because Peter Parker is supposed to look like a dweeb and he wears a mask when he's in action. But he's not Tom Cruise. He is Michael J. Fox and that's okay!
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 1/22/2025, 3:07 PM
@Drace24 - heyyyyyy now, dont dis michael j fox. dude is a fantastic guy and back in the day was an awesome actor.... but i do know what you mean
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 1/22/2025, 3:13 PM
@Drace24 - wonder what degenerative disease Tom ITS gonna pick.
Autism doesnt counts
Drace24
Drace24 - 1/22/2025, 3:28 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - In no way am I dissing Michael J. Fox. I'm saying it's okay to be a Michael J. Fox and not a Tom Cruise.

[frick] Tom Cruise.
Shivermetimbers
Shivermetimbers - 1/22/2025, 6:05 PM
@Drace24 - The Michael J Fox comparison is one I never noticed, but that is spot on!
WruceBayne
WruceBayne - 1/22/2025, 8:07 PM
@Shivermetimbers - SPOT ON! I’ve never put the two together. He’s the modern day Michael J. Fox.
What’s weird is that I thought Tobey McGuire was the modern day MJF… now he’s just the old Tobey McGuire. 🤷🏾‍♂️
Drace24
Drace24 - 1/23/2025, 7:41 AM
@Shivermetimbers -
User Comment Image

User Comment Image
DarthAlgar
DarthAlgar - 1/22/2025, 3:03 PM
His height drives me nuts. He doesn't make it work like Tom Cruise does. That and he still looks like a 17 year old.
krayzeman
krayzeman - 1/22/2025, 3:03 PM
Uhhhhh...I trust Nolan. He has a track record...
Drace24
Drace24 - 1/22/2025, 3:31 PM
@krayzeman - Yeah, of trying so hard to be a genius that he forgets to make his movies actually good.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 1/22/2025, 4:06 PM
@krayzeman - yeah dude. Freaking Chandler makes fun of dead people McNiel probably isn't the guy to go to for casting considerations. Someone said he's a teacher IRL....that's hard for me to buy the way he writes.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 1/22/2025, 4:12 PM
@Drace24 - you're thinking of Denis Villeneuve. Nolan's characters aren't flat and static.
GameOn
GameOn - 1/22/2025, 6:05 PM
@Drace24 - I think you might be in the minority with that opinion. He’s got one of the best track records in the business
Drace24
Drace24 - 1/23/2025, 7:32 AM
@GameOn - I don't care. Why would I base my opinion on what other people think? You don't need to justify your enjoyment of his movies with "I'm in the majority so there!". I don't like most of his movies. They bore me. I never feel anything. They are not smart or profound or epic, they are just really dragging, needlessly complicated and overrely on pointless stunts, intense music and unatural dialogue that sounds profound but makes no sense when you think more then a few seconds about it, all of which feeling more like he is trying to trick me into thinking I'm watching something meaningful instead actually being meaningful.

I'm not saying he is a bad director. I'm saying I would like him to make a good movie again, instead of bending over backwards to prove his supposed genius. He seems to be in that awkward stage where he is achieved such a level of praise that no one around him dares to tell him to chill the heck out. (That's really the only way I can explain some of his creative choices in Interstellar and Oppenheimer and the entire existance of Tenent.)

I predict it only takes one real stinker for the majority to become the minority.

Drace24
Drace24 - 1/23/2025, 7:34 AM
@McMurdo - I've never seen a Villeneuve film but from what I hear, he seems to be of the same cloth, yes.
GameOn
GameOn - 1/23/2025, 11:28 AM
@Drace24 - You not liking something doesn’t make it bad.
Drace24
Drace24 - 1/24/2025, 9:30 AM
@GameOn - No, but it being bad makes me not like it.
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 1/22/2025, 3:05 PM
Is he ever gonna turn 18?
I dont mind femboys on my hooters but this is getting silly
McMurdo
McMurdo - 1/22/2025, 4:13 PM
@Malatrova15 - okay that's it. YOU'RE GROUNDED.
NotAFanofHeroes
NotAFanofHeroes - 1/22/2025, 4:17 PM
@Malatrova15 - His fiancé has more masculine energy than he does that’s for sure
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 1/22/2025, 5:58 PM
@NotAFanofHeroes - i Will let his fiance peg me anytime....hell..incan even Let him watching for six canadian dollars
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 1/22/2025, 5:59 PM
@McMurdo - im supposed to be in a nofly list and im just geting back from Viejas
Vigor
Vigor - 1/22/2025, 3:05 PM
"Let me know what you think in the comments"

I think I'm just not a fan of these opinion pieces. We get enough opinions in the comments section. I much prefer when the authors of this site just post news and rumors
I understand that I can see the name Chandler and just choose not to click the article. But I thought I'd offer my 2 cents.

I'm just so tired of hearing everyone's opinion. Thanks to the internet, everyone has a megaphone 📣 and most of the time everyone is wrong
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 1/22/2025, 3:09 PM
@Vigor - I get yah

It feels too overwhelming , it just feels like there is no real majority or minority now

It’s just all divisive and everyone thinks they know best so it can just be frustrating
Vigor
Vigor - 1/22/2025, 3:42 PM
@TheVisionary25 - yes everyone has a doctorate in every topic it seems
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 1/22/2025, 3:55 PM
@Vigor - yep

It’s either their way or nothing
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 1/22/2025, 3:56 PM
@Vigor - I’d rather an opinion piece that sparks an actual thoughtful conversation than a rumor that will have another conflicting rumor article the next day. I disagree with him and think Nolan has a plan. Nolan has a lot more hits than misses as far as me enjoying his movies so I can wait to pass judgment on the movie but it was a thoughtfully written article that gave a brief synopsis of a piece of Greek mythology that I haven’t read in 20 years that reminded me of a couple things I forgot. That has more value than reposting something some jag off posted on twitter with no source
krayzeman
krayzeman - 1/22/2025, 4:05 PM
@Vigor - Unfortunately to keep people engaged to this site,(as if they werent already engaged enough) they need needed to add an opinion that pushes all the way to the front and it gets mixed in as news. Their views on ad spins must be down so MAKE SURE YALL KEEP CLICKING THEM ADS SO WE CAN GET MORE RUMORS AND OPINIONS!!!
McMurdo
McMurdo - 1/22/2025, 4:20 PM
@Vigor - there's really only one contributor here who now constantly offers 1000 word essays featuring his opinion supported by mostly regurgitated info from Wilding articles from mere days prior (mostly regarding James Gunn related material but he's clearly branching out)
ChandlerMcniel
ChandlerMcniel - 1/22/2025, 6:17 PM
@krayzeman - It is very clearly categorized as an editorial.
tmp3
tmp3 - 1/22/2025, 3:05 PM
Holland’s Telemachus, not Odysseus.
The first 4 books of the Odyssey are called The Telemachy precisely because it focuses on Telemachus. So much of the heart of the story is about a father/son dynamic, of course Holland would be one of the leads. But he’s not Odysseus.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 1/22/2025, 3:08 PM
@tmp3 - BINGO. couldnt of said it better. one of the few books i loved when i read it in highschool.

I trust Nolan, This movie will be amazing
tmp3
tmp3 - 1/22/2025, 3:19 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - Incredible book/poem. Such a huge fan of both Homeric epics
McMurdo
McMurdo - 1/22/2025, 4:24 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - User Comment Image
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 1/22/2025, 7:21 PM
@McMurdo - my man!
nibs
nibs - 1/22/2025, 3:06 PM
how much does it cost to get an article posted on main?
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 1/22/2025, 3:13 PM
@nibs - about tree fiddy
grif
grif - 1/22/2025, 3:13 PM
@nibs - how the hell do you make an article at all?
ChandlerMcniel
ChandlerMcniel - 1/22/2025, 3:52 PM
@nibs - It actually pays, not costs.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 1/22/2025, 4:26 PM
@grif - you pretend to be a writer. At least in this case.
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