LONDON–Buzz is building for The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film based on the classical Greek epic. While many details of the film remain unrevealed, we do know that the titular hero Odysseus will be portrayed by Matt Damon, who has never before played such a weighty role as a lost soldier trying to return home.

While the role may be a new one for Damon, Nolan is confident in his decision. “This casting choice was Bourne out of Damon’s strong Identity as an actor,” Nolan said in an Inter view. “His track record is Stellar.”

The film’s plot involves Odysseus journeying home across the Oceans, Eleven years after the Trojan War. But he encounters various obstacles and fearsome foes, including Polyphemus the cyclops (James Marsden) and Circe the witch (Gemma Chan).

In a departure from the original story, Nolan’s version will have Odysseus trapped for some time in a land ruled by the Roman counterpart of Ares. Odysseus’s soldiers must then return to rescue him from Mars. In another plotline, the Greek hunter Orion becomes a private in the Aechean army. When he gets captured by enemy soldiers, Odysseus’s men will be Saving Private Orion.

Jon Bernthal will play a soldier who returns from the war only to find that his wife and children have been murdered by criminals. He then goes on a vengeful quest to punish those responsible. Other cast members include Tom Holland, who will play Arachne (another prominent figure from Greek myth) and Elliott Page, who will play Hermaphroditus.

While The Odyssey may be Damon’s first foray into the lost hero role, it isn’t his first foray into ancient mythology. Astute fans may remember that he also played Loki in Thor: Ragnarok and its critically acclaimed sequel Thor: Love and Thunder. Since he’ll now have a foot in both worlds, it remains to be seen which side Damon will take in the upcoming conflict between the Greek and Norse pantheons as foreshadowed for Thor 5.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey sets sail in summer 2026.