The Odyssey is sailing into the summer blockbuster slate as the most highly-anticipated film of 2026. Only using IMAX cameras film the entire movie for the first time has hooked many. Also, Christopher Nolan and Universal Pictures called on a superb cohort of stars to bring the director’s adaptation to life. Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal, Himesh Patel, Will Yun Lee, and Mia Goth feature.
As well as them, who take priority for their characters being disclosed, there are Nick E. Tarabay, Corey Hawkins, Ryan Hurst, Elliot Page, and many other recognisable faces. However, while many are playing mythical figures, only two so far have been named as being among the Ancient Greek Pantheon.
The Many Deities to Draw into The Odyssey
Homer’s epic poems recount the many trials and challenges of Odysseus as he tries to make his way home after the gruelling Trojan War. Most of the encounters with deities and mythical creatures take place in Books IX to XII of The Odyssey, while his protector-goddess appears in Books XIII to XXIV as Odysseus prepares to clear his house of those who would dethrone him and take his wife.
Of course, there’s a huge selection of very recognisable Ancient Greek deities to choose from, and each will hold an almost branded-level of appeal to the masses. It’s because the mythical beings are so well-known that entertainment keeps circling back to them. Films like Hercules, Jason and the Argonauts, and Clash of the Titans showcase this, and so too does the presence of Age of the Gods among the collection of online bingo games.
Age of the Gods Bingo puts Zeus front and centre, but also features other famed gods and goddesses. The brand’s slot series dedicates individual games to each character, like with Medusa & Monsters, Ruler of the Seas, and Athena vs Ares. Such a range shows the demand from entertainment-seekers for these classic deities. In Homer’s works, the most prominent of the major gods were Athena, Poseidon, Calypso, and Circe.
Bringing the Goddess of Wisdom and an Enchantress to the Big Screen
While more actors are yet to have their roles in the upcoming film revealed, two of its most prominent names have been assigned to distinctly ethereal roles. At the top of the billing is the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena. In the original epic, Athena meets with Odysseus because she’s his protector. She then helps him to hatch his plan to reveal that he still lives before taking on his wife’s many suitors who crept in during his absence.
Between departing Troy and washing up on the shores of Scheria, Odysseus and his crew endure many harrowing trials. Along with meeting the lotus-eaters and escaping the Cyclops, they meet the isolated goddess Circe. The enchantress initially tries to foil Odysseus’ quest with a particularly quirky spell, but the hero overcomes this and, eventually, Circe helps him on his way. This role will be played by Charlize Theron.
As we get closer to the premiere of The Odyssey, it seems likely that we’ll find out who will play the likes of Hermes and Calypso, if not also Poseidon, Zeus, Ino, and possibly Hercules. For now, we have out Athena and Circe.
