Greece awaits Nolan's "The Odyssey" with anticipation despite casting controversy.

Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon as King Odysseus, follows Homer's classic epic of the Greek king's long journey home after the Trojan War, facing gods, monsters, and countless trials before reclaiming his palace from rival suitors.

The film features an ensemble cast that includes Lupita Nyong'o, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron, with narration by rapper Travis Scott.

Greek actor Manos Pintzis, who portrayed Odysseus in a local stage production, said presenting the story through theater helps children engage with mythology in ways that textbooks alone cannot. Classroom role-playing exercises encourage students to imagine how they would respond in Odysseus' place, while discussions often focus on his encounters with mythical creatures and the challenges of his journey.

In Greece, where Homer's works are taught in schools nationwide, many argue that The Odyssey has remained relevant for nearly 3,000 years because it has continually been reinterpreted rather than preserved unchanged.

The film has also sparked political debate. Conservative commentators, including Matt Walsh, argued that the production places too much emphasis on identity politics, echoing criticism previously directed at science fiction and fantasy adaptations featuring racially diverse casting for established characters.

Separately, Greece's nationalist party Niki criticized both the casting choices and the Greek government's decision to provide approximately6 million (about $6.9 million) in subsidies to support local production.