26 June,2026 06:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Christopher Nolan on The Odyssey sets. Photo via Instagram
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is generating buzz long before its theatrical release, but this time it's not because of a trailer or a casting announcement. Universal Pictures has reportedly decided to skip advance screenings for social media influencers and instead give professional film critics the first opportunity to watch the epic following its world premiere in London on July 6.
The move has surprised moviegoers, especially at a time when influencer reactions have become a key part of Hollywood's promotional strategy for big-budget releases. According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Odyssey will only begin screening for critics after its London premiere, with no influencer or fan screenings planned beforehand.
In recent years, studios have increasingly invited influencers, YouTubers and fan-site creators to early screenings, encouraging them to share spoiler-free reactions across social media. These first impressions often help build excitement before critics' reviews are published.
Universal, however, appears to be taking a different route with Christopher Nolan's ambitious adaptation of Homer's classic epic. By prioritising critics over influencers, the studio is signalling confidence in the film while also embracing a more traditional rollout strategy.
The decision comes amid growing debate over influencer reviews, with some moviegoers questioning whether early reactions are sometimes overly enthusiastic because of their close relationship with studios. Recent examples, including Warner Bros.' Supergirl, which received glowing influencer reactions before earning a more mixed response from critics, have only intensified that conversation.
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey reimagines Homer's legendary Greek poem, following King Odysseus on his perilous 10-year journey home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters mythical creatures, powerful gods and life-threatening challenges, while his wife Penelope fights to protect their kingdom from those hoping to claim the throne.
The film also marks a major milestone in filmmaking as it is the first feature shot entirely using IMAX cameras, promising an immersive cinematic experience on a grand scale.
The star-studded cast includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Zendaya as Athena, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Charlize Theron as Calypso and Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra.
One of the most anticipated films of the year, The Odyssey is set to hit theatres across India on July 17, 2026.
