This 21-Year-Old War Movie is Essential Before Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'
As anticipation builds for Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey, releasing in Summer 2026, fans should consider watching the 2004 sword-and-sandal war film Troy. This movie provides a solid foundation for understanding the events leading up to The Odyssey, focusing on the Trojan War depicted in Homer's Iliad.
Why Watch Troy First?
- Context: The Odyssey serves as a narrative continuation, but it relies heavily on the backstory of the Trojan War.
- Accessibility: For viewers unwilling to read the extensive ancient texts, Troy offers a more approachable way to grasp the essential story.
- Casting and Scale: The film boasts a star-studded cast including Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, and Orlando Bloom, bringing the epic to life with grandeur.
About Nolan's The Odyssey
The upcoming film features prominent stars like Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya, promising a large-scale production that matches Nolan's reputation following his success with Oppenheimer.
Critical Perspective on Troy
While Troy takes creative liberties with the source material, it successfully conveys the core dynamics of the Trojan War, making it a worthwhile watch for enthusiasts of war epics.
"For anyone who's into war epics like Gladiator and Braveheart or just wants to get a bearing on the story of the Trojan War before The Odyssey, I strongly encourage looking past Troy's mixed reviews and giving this one a shot."
Author's summary: Watching the 2004 film Troy is highly recommended to understand the Trojan War narrative before experiencing Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey in 2026.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?