Tom Holland stars as Telemachus, son of Odysseus, in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey, set to open July 17, 2026 [1, 2]. Holland convinced Sony to delay production on Spider-Man: Brand New Day so he could work on Nolan’s project, allowing Sony to secure director Destin Daniel Cretton and develop the script further [2].
Nolan’s filmmaking emphasizes practical effects, careful planning, and extensive pre-production. The Odyssey was filmed outdoors on location in Morocco and Sicily, featuring real Greek soldiers and practical ships to create an authentic atmosphere [1]. Actor Matthew Modine described Nolan’s process: "It’s your responsibility to learn the song. You have to learn the role and show up with all of your knowledge... Christopher conducts them" [1].
Holland contrasted this approach with Marvel’s production model, which relies heavily on digital backdrops and a more flexible, factory-like process. He said Marvel films often lack the preparation and clear artistic vision Nolan requires, telling Sony executives, "We need to know why we are making this movie beyond the fact that it’s Spider-Man 4 and they make loads of money" [1, 2].
Despite the criticism, Holland expressed confidence in the Spider-Man film’s quality, stating, "I truly believe that we’ve made the best version of any Spider-Man movie going" [2]. Both The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day are scheduled for release this summer, with Spider-Man following shortly after Nolan’s film [2].
