Christopher Nolan reveals the incredible real-life sets of The Odyssey

The director transformed his shoot into a real trip to the Mediterranean, filming in improbable places…

This will undoubtedly be one of the most breathtaking films of summer 2026.

Christopher Nolan spent many months with his team filming The Odyssey in the Mediterranean. And in these sumptuous settings, he was able to take unique images. That’s what this astonishing behind-the-scenes video of the production tells us, posted online by Universal today, showing filming carried out against all odds, in isolated locations in the region.

We discover the scale of the system, between constant travel, difficult terrain and heavy logistical constraints for the teams.

The video emphasizes the very physical conditions of the production, filmed largely in natural settings.

Christopher Nolan explains: “The Odyssey is a huge story, and it’s a truly exciting challenge to take on”, highlighting the scale of the project and the diversity of the places crossed.

Matt Damon, who plays Ulysses, speaks of the film as “the greatest film I have ever made in my career”, adding that it felt like he had shot “six or seven films”, with each chapter of the adventure taking place in a different location, with specific challenges each time.

The featurette also shows the crews transporting equipment to remote areas and setting up filming infrastructure in the wilderness. Tom Holland emphasizes that “this What’s special about Chris’s films is that he always pushes further to make things authentic on set, which then makes the film even more real for the audience“Zendaya, for her part, mentions “a totally immersive environment”, while Robert Pattinson jokes about the long walks necessary to reach the filming locations, sometimes directly in costume.

Finally, Matt Damon sums up the experience by recalling:

“There’s a reason they’re called odysseys. This is The Odyssey, and it truly is a journey through incredible places, which will hopefully deeply touch and entertain viewers.”

The Odyssey by Nolan will be released on July 15, 2026 in cinemas in France.