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‘The Odyssey’ Faces Backlash Over Star-Studded Cast’s Unexpected Accents In New Trailer

Christopher Nolan‘s adaptation of Homer’s timeless epic stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and many more household names.

WestNet News wire Source: HuffPost
‘The Odyssey’ Faces Backlash Over Star-Studded Cast’s Unexpected Accents In New Trailer

That’s right, one of the most epic stories ever written is getting retold by one of the greatest filmmakers of this generation, Christopher Nolan. Homer’s ancient Greek epic has been adapted many times, but this is set to be one of the most ambitious and star-studded retellings ever made.

Universal Pictures

The film stars Matt Damon as the Greek hero Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as his wife Penelope and Tom Holland as their son Telemachus. It also features Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, and many more household names.

Universal Pictures

Fans are divided on the trailer, with many of them finding the inclusion of American accents jarring, and there has been a lot of furore about the modern language used in the trailer. In one scene we see Antinous (Robert Pattinson) confronting Telemachus (Tom Holland), saying, “You’re pining for a daddy you didn’t even know, like some sniveling bastard.” The trailer also shows Tom Holland’s Telemachus at one point saying, “My Dad is coming home.”

Universal Pictures

Viewers are criticising the language, as one Reddit User reacted: “The way characters talk feels very modern and very off-putting, in movies like this you expect seeing dialogue more elegant and poetic.”

We got a first look at the Cyclops, which is getting some mixed reactions too, although some are excited by the aesthetics and realism.

I absolutely love this shot. Looks like a painting. https://t.co/w2YKYS6jSS

— Richard Newby (@RichardLNewby3) May 5, 2026

The costume design is getting some serious complaints, as was always going to be the way.

These are supposed to be Laestrygonians according to Nolan. They were giant primitive ogres, believed to be descendants of Laestrygon, a son of Poseidon. Cannibals, ferocious, covered in leather piece of cloths. Why do they wear Medieval armours, almost futuristic?????????? pic.twitter.com/cgOgvs2FIX

— 🍃☘️🍀卂乙乙ㄩ尺尺卂🍀☘️🍃 (@AzzurraS4) May 5, 2026

“The Odyssey” is out on July 17th, you can see the new trailer here: