What is the story about?
Tom Holland and Zendaya may be sharing the screen in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, but the actor made it clear, jokingly, that his wife’s on-screen
character belongs to him. During a recent interview with co-stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson, Holland hilariously dismissed the idea of Athena having romantic feelings for Damon’s Odysseus. The witty response left the cast in splits and instantly became a standout moment from the film’s press tour. Damon later offered a more thoughtful take on Athena and Odysseus’ relationship, carefully avoiding spoilers about Nolan’s adaptation.
Tom Holland on why Zendaya's Athena can't love Odysseus
Tom Holland's playful sense of humor stole the spotlight during a recent Wired interview promoting Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Joined by co-stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson, Holland answered fan-submitted questions about the film and Homer's epic tale.
Reading one of the questions aloud, Holland asked, "Did Athena love Odysseus romantically?" Before anyone else could answer, the actor quipped, "No, because she's married to me." The joke was a nod to his real-life marriage to Zendaya, who plays the Greek goddess Athena in the film. His response immediately drew laughter from the rest of the cast, with Damon responding, "Yep. Good answer."
In Nolan's adaptation, Damon stars as the legendary Greek hero Odysseus, who embarks on a perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. During his voyage, Athena, portrayed by Zendaya, appears to guide and influence him through visions. The film also stars Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Odysseus' devoted wife who has waited two decades for his return while fending off persistent suitors. Holland plays their son, Telemachus, while Robert Pattinson portrays Antinous, one of Penelope's most determined suitors.
The conversation then turned more serious when Holland read another question: "Why does Athena choose Odysseus?" Damon carefully avoided revealing key plot details from Nolan's adaptation. "This is difficult in the context of our movie without giving things away," Damon said. "Because does Athena choose Odysseus or does Odysseus choose Athena?" He then teased audiences by adding, "Spoiler alert. That's all we can say." Holland's lighthearted "She's married to me" remark has since become one of the most talked-about moments from The Odyssey press tour, delighting fans of both the actor and Zendaya.
About The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey reimagines Homer's timeless epic as a psychologically rich tale of war, trauma and redemption. Starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, the film follows the Greek king's arduous 20-year journey home after the Trojan War, while his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (Tom Holland) struggle to protect Ithaca.
Told through Nolan's signature non-linear narrative, the story blends mythological encounters with deeply human themes, portraying monsters and gods as reflections of Odysseus' guilt and fractured psyche. As he battles Cyclops, Sirens and other legendary foes, the film explores the devastating cost of war, the meaning of homecoming, and whether a man forever changed by conflict can truly reclaim the life he left behind.
Catch The Odyssey in theatres from July 17, 2026.
