An AI-Generated ‘The Odyssey’ Movie Titled Odysseus The Fall Is Coming
An AI-generated adaptation of Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ is officially in the works, adding yet another interpretation of the iconic Greek epic to a busy year. While Christopher Nolan’s version of ‘The Odyssey’ gears up for its theatrical debut, a distinct take on the tale is being crafted using artificial intelligence.
Titled ‘Odysseus: The Fall’, this forthcoming film is produced by AI film studio Fountain 0 and directed by Ash Koosha. The 135-minute movie is an AI-driven retelling focused on the legendary Greek hero, Odysseus, and is expected to be available for rent or purchase through Fountain 0’s website later this summer.
Koosha, who previously directed the AI-generated documentary-drama ‘Dreams of Violets’, which highlights the recent Iranian protests and premiered at the Tribeca Festival, has a deep personal connection to ‘The Odyssey’. He has been passionate about the story since childhood and aimed to create his own interpretation after years of exploring various versions.
“I’ve been just obsessed with it since I was a kid,” Koosha shared in an interview. “One of the things that really drove me towards this story was the character of Odysseus himself, and my take on it — the feeling that I’ve had over the years reading different takes on it, and different translations — and my take was something that I just wanted to tell.”
Koosha noted that the timing felt appropriate due to the growing interest in AI filmmaking and the broader discussions surrounding the technology. The announcement of ‘Odysseus: The Fall’ coincides with the promotional efforts for Nolan’s much larger Hollywood adaptation, although the two projects are not related.
Tom Rogers, executive chairman of Fountain 0 and an executive producer on the film, explained that their aim is not to compete with traditional filmmaking but to illustrate how swiftly AI can enable creators to respond to cultural moments.
“We tried with ‘Dreams’ to very much show that an AI-generated film was able to create something … at the speed of news,” Rogers said. “To be able to produce something at speed that allows you to contribute to it gives everybody a sense that you can participate in creating film with speed in a way that it really contributes to it.”
‘Odysseus: The Fall’ was developed using the AI video generator Kling. Rather than adhering to a traditional screenplay format, Koosha worked from notes and continuously adapted ideas throughout production. He mentioned that this flexibility allowed for experimentation beyond the usual constraints of a conventional film set.
The film also features AI-generated representations of human performers. Twelve individuals contributed their likenesses, including models, a professional actress, and even Rogers himself. Koosha utilized his own likeness as the model for Odysseus.
According to Rogers, employing AI versions of performers opened up new avenues for direction. He noted that guiding an AI model based on someone’s appearance can sometimes be simpler than directing someone with minimal acting experience.
“In the case of somebody like me, with zero acting experience, it’s infinitely easier for Ash to direct me through my image and a model than it would be to direct me live,” Rogers admitted. However, he also acknowledged the disparity between their film and Nolan’s upcoming blockbuster. “I don’t think anybody is going to think this film is better than Nolan’s film,” he conceded.
Instead, the team views ‘Odysseus: The Fall’ as a showcase of the potential of AI filmmaking. Koosha believes that AI should ultimately be regarded as another storytelling tool rather than something entirely separate from traditional cinema.
“I don’t think it’s a question of putting traditional film versus AI film,” Koosha stated. “When we move past the point where AI is surrounded with so much discourse, and when we ignore the fact that AI is this sort of alien thing, then it becomes about the stories.”
As audiences brace for multiple interpretations of ‘The Odyssey’, Koosha’s AI adaptation promises to provide a unique perspective on how technology may influence the future of filmmaking.
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