Zendaya Set to Play Athena in Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey
The Odyssey is one of the most eagerly anticipated films currently in production, and the good news about Christopher Nolan’s next epic keeps coming. It was recently confirmed that Zendaya will be taking on the role of Athena, one of the most iconic and complex characters from ancient Greek mythology. The Oscar-nominated actor is rapidly becoming one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and this role will help elevate her status even more.
Athena: One of the Most Iconic Greek Gods
There are a few gods of the Olympian pantheon that are more famous and popular than others, and Athena is up there with the likes of Zeus and Poseidon. She plays a key role in many of the best stories from the era, and is one of the main guides of Odysseus during his long and treacherous journey home from the Trojan War.
Athena has been represented in popular culture on countless occasions, with Melina Kanakaredes last playing her on the big screen in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief in 2010. She’s a major character in the God of War series as well, with Carole Ruggier and Erin Torpey both having had turns voicing her.
The notoriety of Athena has been helped by other games as well, including a blackjack online title that uses her likeness. Cards of Athena: Double Double Bonus is one of the most unique card games on the market, and features the warrior goddess prominently on the thumbnail.
Zendaya now has an opportunity to continue Athena’s legacy and will be able to bring the character to audiences who may not have known much about her until now.
Who Else is Set to Star in the Picture?
Zendaya is just one of many huge names set to appear in Nolan’s new movie, with Matt Damon already confirmed in the title role. The 54-year-old is the perfect option to play the cunning hero, and this will be his third time working with Nolan after Interstellar and Oppenheimer.
Tom Holland’s role has also been announced, with the Spider-Man star set to play a crucial part as Odysseus’s son, Telemachus. There are plenty of other huge names on the bill, but their roles haven’t yet been confirmed. Nolan favourites Robert Pattinson and Anne Hathaway will be in the picture, along with Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong’o.
When is the Odyssey Set to Hit Screens?
It feels like Nolan only just finished with Oppenheimer, but the Odyssey is set to hit cinemas sooner than many people expected. Indeed, production is already well underway, with various sneak peeks from the set leaked in the newspapers. The picture is due to be released in July 2026 and could be the biggest movie of the year. It’s already set to be the most expensive film of Nolan’s career, meaning that it is likely to be an incredible spectacle.
Zendaya’s journey to the top is gathering pace, and her next role could elevate her to the status of a god within the film industry. It will be exciting to see what she brings to the part.
