Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: Blockbuster Entirely on IMAX

Christopher Nolan is set to make history as The Odyssey becomes the first blockbuster to be shot entirely on IMAX cameras.

Why is The Odyssey only using IMAX cameras?

Nolan has been using IMAX cameras for most of his career, including on the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer. However, Nolan has never before shot an entire film on IMAX. The IMAX cameras provide logistical challenges involving size, weight, sound, and speed, making it harder to use them on a whole production.

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond revealed the deal he made with Nolan that convinced the filmmakers to shoot The Odyssey entirely with IMAX cameras.

“Chris called me up and said If you can figure out how to solve the problems, will make [Odyssey] 100 percent in IMAX. And that’s what we’re doing,” said Gelfond at a press lunch in Cannes on Thursday (via The Hollywood Reporter). “He forced us to rethink that side of our business, our film recorders, our film cameras.”

Gelfond said the IMAX cameras on The Odyssey are 30 percent quieter and “substantially lighter.” Plus, the processing speeds are faster, making it easier to watch dailies.

These new IMAX cameras are only for Nolan, but the company plans to incorporate them into more films after The Odyssey’s completion.

Based on Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey follows the Greek hero Odysseus and his treacherous journey home after the Trojan War. Like many Nolan films, The Odyssey boasts an impressive cast of A-list stars and character actors. The Odyssey’s ensemble includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Charlize Theron, and more.

The Odyssey is written and directed by Nolan, who will produce alongside his wife, Emma Thomas. The Odyssey is Nolan’s first movie since Oppenheimer, the Best Picture-winning epic about the life of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.

The Odyssey premieres in theaters on July 17, 2026.