Tom Holland has offered an enthusiastic glimpse into Christopher Nolan’s ambitious new film The Odyssey, calling it “an absolute masterpiece” and revealing how working alongside Matt Damon left a lasting impression—both professionally and personally.
While Holland chose to keep Damon’s advice private, he made it clear that the experience of sharing the screen with the Hollywood veteran was nothing short of transformative.
According to People, Damon, 55, and Holland portray the mythological Greek heroes Odysseus and his son, Telemachus, in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem. The film marks Nolan’s follow-up to his 2023 blockbuster Oppenheimer and has already generated significant buzz for its scale and star-studded cast.
In an interview, Holland reflected on Damon’s presence during the demanding shoot, describing him as a guiding force on set. “He was a leader. This was a very tough movie and no one worked harder than Matt did,” Holland said, when asked if Damon gave him any “fatherly advice” while working together. “And he always came to set with a smile on his face and he was gracious and he was so kind to the crew. And I think he really set the tone for everyone as to how we were going to collectively make this film,” according to People.
“So there are words of wisdom that he’s given me that I’ll keep to myself, but there’s a lot that I learned from him from just being a spectator on set and watching the legend that is Matt Damon work,” Holland added.
Holland and Damon were first reported to be co-starring in the project in November 2024, with Universal Pictures confirming in December that Nolan would adapt The Odyssey for the big screen. The film also features an ensemble cast including Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, and Robert Pattinson, among others.
Reflecting further on the film, Holland expressed awe at Nolan’s vision. “I can tell you that it is an absolute masterpiece, and I’m taking myself out of that equation,” he said. “Chris Nolan’s movie is fantastic. It’s unlike anything that I’ve ever seen before. I think when I saw the movie, I found myself asking a question that I haven’t asked about a movie for a long time, which is, ‘How did you do that?’ ”
The Odyssey marks Holland’s return to the big screen since 2022’s Uncharted and is set to release in theaters on July 17, shortly before his next Spider-Man installment arrives later that month.
