- Primary Subject: Tom Holland's experience filming Christopher Nolan's epic film adaptation of The Odyssey.
- Key Update: Tom Holland revealed he initially panicked on the set of The Odyssey, thinking director Christopher Nolan hated his acting.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: July 6, 2026
- Quick Answer: Tom Holland's on-set panic was caused by Christopher Nolan's frequent cuts, which were mandated by the strict three-minute runtime of IMAX 65mm film reels.
With Christopher Nolan's massive mythic epic, The Odyssey, set to sail into theaters this July, anticipation has reached a fever pitch. The star-studded adaptation of Homer's legendary tale marks a monumental moment in cinema history, pushing both its cast and cutting-edge film technology to their absolute limits.
However, stepping onto a fiercely meticulous Nolan set for the first time can be a terrifying ordeal, even for a seasoned Marvel blockbuster veteran like Tom Holland.
Tom Holland Recalled Christopher Nolan's Countless "Cuts" During His Filming of The Odyssey
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In a recent interview with Fandango, Holland said he initially thought director Christopher Nolan hated his performance on his first day filming The Odyssey because he kept calling cut. In reality, Nolan's cuts were all because of the limitations of the IMAX cameras being used on set.
"Working with the IMAX cameras for the first time is an experience," Holland recalled, "It is unlike everything I have ever seen before, and I didn't know that it only ran for three minutes."
Holland added, "So, I remember [Nolan] would continue cutting, and I was with Jon [Bernthal], 'Why does he keep cutting? Why does he keep doing that?'"
It wasn't until the Stunt Coordinator George Cottle cleared the set, "George Cottle was like, 'No, no, no, there's only three minutes in the mag.' I was like, 'Oh, thank God. I thought I was totally sh***ing the bed in this scene.'"
Despite how things started off, Holland couldn't be more grateful to be a part of something "absolutely fantastic" to work with, "I've never seen someone that can work the way [Nolan and Emma Thomas] do, and there is a reason why they're the best in the business for sure," calling the filming and learning on set the "best experience I've ever had."
What Fans Can Expect From Tom Holland's Telemachus in The Odyssey
In Nolan's 172-minute retelling of Homer's foundational text, Holland steps into the pivotal role of Telemachus, the loyal and grieving son of Matt Damon's battle-worn Odysseus.
While Odysseus spends a decade fighting mythical adversaries, traumatic flashbacks, and a seven-year captivity on Calypso's (Charlize Theron) island, Telemachus must navigate his own grueling coming-of-age journey back home in Ithaca.
Alongside his mother, Queen Penelope (Anne Hathaway), Telemachus is tasked with defending his father's kingdom and fending off a volatile household full of aggressive suitors, led by Antinous (Robert Pattinson), the antagonist.
The star-studded ensemble also features Zendaya as the goddess Athena, who guides Odysseus on his journey, alongside Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, and John Leguizamo.
Insiders note that Holland's character arc serves as the emotional anchor of the storyline, mirroring the vulnerability and fierce responsibility of a young man forced to grow up in the shadow of a legendary, missing father.
In the meantime, fans can sit back and wait until The Odyssey premieres on July 17, 2026. Stay tuned!
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