Nolan Shoots The Odyssey Entirely in IMAX with Custom Close-Range Equipment

Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic action fantasy film, “The Odyssey,” is poised to make cinematic history as the first narrative feature to be shot entirely with IMAX cameras. This groundbreaking achievement is made possible by the development of new equipment, allowing for intimate close-ups and usable on-set sound, even inches from an actor’s face.

The Breakthrough in IMAX Filmmaking

Historically, IMAX cameras, while offering unparalleled visual fidelity, have been notoriously loud, making them challenging for filming dialogue-heavy scenes or close-up shots requiring pristine on-set audio. Filmmakers often had to rely on alternative smaller cameras for such sequences or resort to extensive post-production audio work, such as Automatic Dialogue Replacement (ADR).

The innovation that unlocks “The Odyssey’s” full IMAX potential is a newly developed “blimp” system. This specialized casing significantly reduces the noise produced by the IMAX cameras, making them quiet enough to capture clear dialogue even when positioned extremely close to actors. Christopher Nolan, known for his preference for practical effects and minimal ADR, highlighted the significance of this advancement, stating that the blimp system is a “game-changer” that allows for “intimate moments of performance on the world’s most beautiful format.”

To demonstrate the viability of this new technology, the film’s cinematographer, Hoyte van Hoytema, conducted a crucial test. He captured IMAX test footage of a child reciting the lyrics to David Bowie’s “Sound and Vision.” This footage showcased the camera’s ability to achieve an unprecedented level of intimacy in both image and sound, which Nolan found “electrifying” and previously unattainable.

Nolan’s IMAX Journey: A History of Innovation

Christopher Nolan has long been a champion of the IMAX format, progressively integrating its use into his films over the years. His journey with IMAX began in 2008 with “The Dark Knight,” which was the first Hollywood feature to incorporate IMAX cameras for select action sequences.

He continued to expand IMAX photography in subsequent films, including “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012), “Interstellar” (2014), “Dunkirk” (2017), and “Tenet” (2020), each time pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved with the large-format cameras.

A notable milestone in this progression was his 2023 Oscar-winning film, “Oppenheimer.” For this biographical thriller, Nolan and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema collaborated with Kodak to develop the first-ever IMAX black-and-white 65mm film stock. This required re-engineering not only the film itself but also aspects of the cameras and the lab processing to prevent issues like light bleed and to accommodate the thinner black-and-white stock.

The Scale of “The Odyssey”

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is an ambitious adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, chronicling the perilous journey of King Odysseus as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War.

The production scale of “The Odyssey” is immense. Principal photography took place from February to August 2025 across multiple international locations, including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, and Western Sahara. Nolan revealed that over 2 million feet of IMAX film was used during the 91-day shoot, far exceeding the length used for “Oppenheimer.” Given that IMAX 65mm film is significantly more expensive and uses more footage per minute than standard 35mm film, this represents a substantial investment in the visual scope of the film.

The film boasts a star-studded ensemble cast. Matt Damon leads as Odysseus, with Tom Holland portraying his son, Telemachus. Anne Hathaway takes on the role of Penelope, Odysseus’s wife. Other prominent cast members include Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Circe, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, and Jon Bernthal, among others.

Nolan’s motivation for tackling “The Odyssey” with such a grand approach stems from his desire to fill a “gap in cinematic culture.” He aims to bring the weight and credibility of a major Hollywood IMAX production to mythological storytelling, a genre he felt hadn’t been fully realized in this format since the works he grew up with.

Anticipated Release and Impact

“The Odyssey” is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States by Universal Pictures on July 17, 2026. This project represents a significant milestone in filmmaking, demonstrating IMAX’s continued innovation in analog large-format capture and Christopher Nolan’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of cinematic immersion.

Conclusion

With “The Odyssey,” Christopher Nolan and his team are not merely adapting an ancient epic; they are redefining the possibilities of cinematic storytelling through technological innovation. By overcoming the long-standing challenges of shooting dialogue-heavy scenes with IMAX cameras, they are paving the way for a new era of immersive and intimate large-format filmmaking. This ambitious undertaking promises audiences a visually stunning and audibly rich experience, setting a new benchmark for epic cinema.