Fez – Holland, who rose to global fame as Marvel’s Spider-Man, recently wrapped filming on Nolan’s latest project, which adapts Homer’s ancient Greek epic for the big screen.
He plays Telemachus, son of Odysseus, whose long and perilous journey home after the Trojan War has been retold for centuries.
The project marks Nolan’s return after his Academy Award-winning film “Oppenheimer.” Like his past blockbusters, “The Odyssey” features an ensemble cast. Among the stars are Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, and Zendaya, Holland’s fiancé and frequent co-star.
Speaking with Agence France-Presse, Holland praised Nolan’s collaborative process. “Chris is a real collaborator. He knows what he wants… but it is not an environment where you cannot pitch ideas or build characters in certain ways,” he said.
While “The Odyssey” was filmed across Mediterranean sites, Morocco continues to strengthen its reputation as a global filmmaking destination. Dakhla in southern Morocco is drawing attention for its cinematic landscapes, offering vast desert backdrops and coastal scenery that make it an attractive location for international filmmakers. The city has also positioned itself as a cultural and sporting hub, expanding its visibility on the world stage.
The film, scheduled to premiere on July 17, 2026, was shot in locations across the Mediterranean, underscoring Nolan’s commitment to practical settings and large-scale production values.
Holland balances The Odyssey and Spider-Man
Just weeks after the release of “The Odyssey,” Holland will reprise his role as Peter Parker in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” The film, due out in late July 2026, will be his seventh appearance as the Marvel superhero.
Filming has already generated buzz, with Holland spotted shooting action sequences in Glasgow, which doubled as New York City. “Putting on the suit still feels like the first time,” Holland said. “It was exciting, exhilarating, and it felt fresh.”
Reflections on technology and youth
Beyond acting, Holland has partnered with LEGO on the campaign “Never Stop Playing,” which encourages children to embrace creativity over screen time. “With screens and phones and iPads and Instagram and all these sorts of toxic pieces of technology, it was really nice to be part of something tangible,” he told AFP.
The actor also reflected on the pressures of growing up in the social media age. “It puts young people under a certain amount of pressure to maybe not necessarily be themselves, but versions of themselves that the internet wants them to be,” he explained.
A personal milestone with Zendaya
Earlier this year, Holland and Zendaya confirmed their engagement after the actress appeared with a diamond ring at the Golden Globes. While Holland said he is not yet considering fatherhood, he emphasized that he plans to prioritize offline activities for his future children. “I will definitely be buying them LEGO before I am buying them a phone,” he said.
