Universal Launches 10-Week Push for 'The Odyssey' with 7 Oscar-Winning Moderators
Christopher Nolan's film, which has grossed over $1.1 billion, begins its official campaign with a series of high-profile screenings and a making-of documentary premiere.
By Nicholas James ·
Universal Pictures will begin its official Academy Awards campaign for Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' in the week of Nov. 9. The studio has scheduled a series of screenings and question-and-answer sessions designed to place the director, producer Emma Thomas, and star Matt Damon before voters nearly every night for two weeks.
The campaign features high-profile moderators. Robert Downey Jr., who won a supporting actor Oscar for 'Oppenheimer' in 2024, will host the Los Angeles kickoff on Nov. 11 at the TCL Chinese Theatre. Guillermo del Toro will moderate the Nov. 12 session at AMC Universal CityWalk. Steven Spielberg will host a Nov. 17 screening at the DGA Theater. In total, seven Academy Award winners will serve as moderators for the initial run of events.
The film opened in July with a global gross of $264.1 million, the highest opening of Nolan's career. It has since surpassed $1.1 billion, making it his highest-grossing film. The campaign strategy emphasizes the film's format. Nearly every Los Angeles screening is tagged Imax 70mm, 70mm, or 35mm. This approach aims to remind voters that the film was shot entirely on Imax film cameras and intended for large screens rather than digital portals.
The fall campaign uses format and prestige to position the summer blockbuster as an awards contender. Only two films that crossed $1 billion have won best picture: 'Titanic' and 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.' Other blockbusters like 'Avatar' and 'Barbie' received nominations but did not win the top prize. Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' won best picture and director at the 2025 ceremony, a credential the current campaign may leverage.
A centerpiece of the blitz is the world premiere of 'Behind the Scenes of The Odyssey,' a 75-minute making-of documentary. The event will take place at Universal's Spielberg Theater on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Nolan will introduce the film, and Matt Damon will moderate the subsequent Q&A. Attendees will include producer Emma Thomas, casting director John Papsidera, editor Jennifer Lame, production designer Ruth De Jong, and costume designer Ellen Mirojnick. A reception will follow the screening.
The film has been submitted in multiple categories, including best picture, director, and adapted screenplay. Other nominations include actor for Matt Damon, supporting actor for Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, and John Leguizamo, and supporting actress for Anne Hathaway and Samantha Morton. Technical categories such as cinematography, film editing, production design, and visual effects are also included in Universal's materials.
Source: Variety
