Tom Holland’s Sword Training Highlighted in New ‘The Odyssey’ Featurette

Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic has been generating excitement for months, showcasing practical stunts, IMAX visuals, and a star-studded cast. As the film’s release date approaches, Universal is gradually revealing how the director executed some of his most ambitious scenes, offering fans a glimpse into the training and choreography that went into the film’s standout moments.

Tom Holland has emerged as one of the more outspoken cast members regarding the physically demanding nature of the shoot. In ‘The Odyssey‘, he plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, who embarks on a quest to find his long-lost father while protecting his home from suitors vying for his mother’s affection. Unlike his previous role as a web-slinger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this character required him to wield a sword for the first time on screen.

This training is now highlighted in a new clip shared by Rotten Tomatoes, where Holland guides fans through the behind-the-scenes efforts that went into his fight sequences in ‘The Odyssey.’ The featurette showcases a dramatic confrontation filmed on a cliff in Italy as Telemachus prepares for his journey, providing a unique look at the physical preparation for a role Holland describes as unlike any he has tackled before.

Holland has openly discussed how intimidating the early days on set felt. In an interview with Fandango, he shared the anxiety he experienced from repeated cuts during his first day of filming, initially believing the interruptions from Nolan meant he was failing the scene. He later learned that the cuts were unrelated to his performance and were due to the IMAX film magazines only running for three minutes at a time, a detail explained to him by stunt coordinator George Cottle.

The physical demands of the role were significant for Holland. He described some sequences as genuinely overwhelming, referring to the production as a journey through “a lot of uncharted waters” due to its challenging scope. Holland also credited Nolan’s support after a tough first day for helping him acclimate to the physicality required for the part.

Nolan’s dedication to practical filmmaking permeates the entire production, leaving a lasting impression on his younger star. Holland admitted he still struggles to comprehend how Nolan executed many of the film’s most impressive stunts and sequences without relying on CGI, a mystery he was eager to discuss with the director after viewing the final cut.

‘The Odyssey’ also features Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and a diverse ensemble including Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. The film is set to premiere in theaters on July 17. With Holland’s fight training now circulating online, how do you think his Telemachus will compare to the other warriors in Nolan’s epic when ‘The Odyssey’ hits theaters?