Nolan Used a Real Ship for The Odyssey. The Cast Had to Row.

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

Christopher Nolan wrote and directed The Odyssey. It came out July 15. Matt Damon plays Odysseus, the King of Ithaca trying to get home after the Trojan War. The cast includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Zendaya. Music is by Ludwig Göransson.

For the ship scenes, Nolan used the Draken Harald Hårfagre, a real working Viking longship 115 feet long. He filmed on it across six countries over 91 days. The cast had to learn to actually row it.

The film was shot entirely on IMAX 70mm cameras. Nolan shot over two million feet of film.

This is what Nolan does: no CGI where reality is possible. The ship is real. The sea was real. The crew rowed.

Quick Facts

Nolan Used a Real Ship for The Odyssey. The Cast Had to Row.

DirectorChristopher Nolan

CastMatt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Zendaya

GenreAdventure, Action, Fantasy

Release2026-07-15

Runtime173 min

Rated7.9/10

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Nolan used a real Viking longship for The Odyssey. 115 feet long. Six countries. 91 days. The cast had to row it. In theaters now. #TheOdyssey #Backlot

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Nolan's The Odyssey used a real Viking longship. 115 feet. 6 countries. 91 days. The cast had to actually row. In theaters now. #TheOdyssey #Backlot