Christopher Nolan’sThe Odysseygets a new casting announcement, confirming that an Emmy-winning MCU actor has joined the project. After achieving massive success with 2023’scritically-acclaimedOppenheimer, Nolan, one of the most acclaimed and respected directors working in Hollywood, has set his sights on an adaptation of Homer’s iconic poem,The Odyssey. The story follows the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, as he embarks on an epic, ten-year journey home after fighting in the Trojan Wars.
Deadlinenow reports thatJon Bernthal has joined the cast ofThe Odysseyin an unknown role. Bernthal is best known for playing Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in the MCU, and he recently won an Emmy for his role inThe Bear. Bernthal has also appeared in projects likeThe Wolf of Wall Street(2013),Sicario(2015),Ford v. Ferrari(2019), andWe Own This City(2022).
Bernthal is set to reprise his role as The Punisher in the upcomingDaredevil: Born AgainDisney+ series.
What Jon Bernthal’s Casting Means For The Odyssey
Who Else Will Appear In Christopher Nolan’s Upcoming Epic?
Bernthal is one of a number of impressive actors who will appear as part ofThe Odyssey’s cast. The film stars Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Zendaya, Robert Pattison, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, and Lupita Nyong’o, and more casting announcements could be yet to come. The film marks reunions with Nolan for several of these stars, with Damon having appeared in bothInterstellar(2014) andOppenheier, Pattinson having starred inTenet(2021), and Hathaway having appeared inInterstellarandThe Dark Knight Rises(2012).The Odysseywill mark the first collaboration between Nolan and Bernthal.
The Odyssey’s Cast Is Incredible But Is Missing 1 Christopher Nolan Actor Who Would Be Perfect For It
Christopher Nolan has announced what his next big movie will be, and one of his frequent collaborators would be a great fit for the project.
So far, relatively little is known about Nolan’s vision forThe Odyssey. The movie is confirmed to release on July 23, 2025, butit’s unclear just how close an adaptation it will be of Homer’s poem. Universal has described the movie as “a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new Imax film technology.” Bernthal’s role may not yet be known, but the central role of Odysseus can probably be ruled out, as that seems likely to go to Damon.
Our Take On Bernthal’s The Odyssey Casting
Bernthal Is Always A Highlight
In the MCU and beyond,Bernthal has proven himself to be one of the most reliably entertaining and compelling actors working in Hollywood today. Bernthal has shown that he can do a lot with a little as a supporting actor. Even though his role as part of thecast ofThe Bearis small, his scenes are some of the most emotional in the show. He also plays more minor roles inSicarioandWind River(2017), showing up briefly to deliver nuanced but powerful performances.
Bernthal has also excelled in his more leading roles, anchoringThe PunisherDisney+ show and proving especially captivating inWe Own This City. Regardless of how much screen time he gets inThe Odyssey, then, Bernthal seems likely to leave quite a mark on the film. With filming reportedly getting underway over the next few months, more information about Nolan’s epic and Bernthal’s role in it will hopefully come to light in the near future.
The Odyssey
Cast
The Odyssey is a 2026 film adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, chronicling Odysseus’s treacherous journey home from the Trojan War. The narrative explores his encounters with mythical creatures such as Polyphemus, the Sirens, and Circe, culminating in his reunion with his wife, Penelope.
