The Odyssey trailer viewers left excited by ‘scary as hell’ Cyclops reveal

‘It looks genuinely creepy,’ one Christopher Nolan fan says

Christopher Nolan fans have been left excited after a full trailer for The Odyssey teased a “genuinely creepy” reveal of the Cyclops.

The director’s forthcoming historical epic – an adaptation of Homer’s epic Greek poem – will be released in July 2026, and a new full look at the film has been released online.

Matt Damon is shown in the trailer as Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he journeys home in full Spartan warrior armour after the Trojan War, with Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway also seen as characters Telemachus and Penelope.

But it’s the tease of Polyphemus – the one-eyed giant son of Poseidon and Thoosa – that’s causing most excitement. Midway through the trailer, Odysseus is shown looking up in terror as the shadow of a giant character enters the cave he’s in with his soldiers.

“The fact that we’re about to see a Cyclops in a Christopher Nolan movie is actually INSANE,” one person wrote, with another stating: “Totally giving me Jason & The Argonauts vibes and I love it. Almost looks like they might be using forced perspective for the effect.”

Others highlighted that the moment “looks genuinely creepy”, with one person commenting on X/Twitter: “I already know this guy is gonna be scary as hell in the movie.”

The scene was shot in Nestor Cave and Voidokilia Beach in Greece. To heighten the effect of the creature, it has been reported that Nolan, known for shunning CGI, built a mechanical anthropomorphic puppet.

It’s strongly suspected that Bill Irwin, the actor who did the voice and puppetry for the robotic TARS in Interstellar, will play Polyphemus.

'The Odyssey' trailer teases Cyclops reveal (Universal Pictures)

Damon has said making The Odyssey “was the best experience” of his career, and called the film “massively entertaining”.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Addressing Odysseus’s epic journey in the film, the actor stated: “If you’re going to have an existential crisis as you pass the Sirens and you’re lashed to a mast, it’s there. If it says you’re running for your life from a Cyclops, you’re going to run for your life. Chris doesn’t hide the ball.”

The Odyssey will be Nolan’s first film since Oppenheimer, a film that dominated the 2024 awards season, winning seven Oscars, seven Baftas, five Golden Globes and numerous other high-profile awards.

It will be the third time Damon has worked with Nolan after Interstellar and Oppenheimer.