Were Paris, Hector, and Achilles in Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’?

Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey‘ has hit theaters as one of the most eagerly awaited epics in recent years, leaving fans with a burning question: Did the film feature the iconic figures from the Trojan War, such as Paris, Hector, and Achilles, or did Nolan adhere closely to Homer’s original narrative?

The answer is more nuanced than a straightforward yes or no, revealing much about Nolan’s approach to this classic tale.

In the months leading up to the film’s release, speculation ran rampant that Elliot Page had been secretly cast as Achilles, with fans believing Nolan was hiding a significant reveal. However, upon the film’s release, it was confirmed that Achilles does not appear in ‘The Odyssey’ at all, debunking the theory that Page portrayed the legendary warrior.

Additionally, there was no hidden casting of other frequent Nolan collaborators like Tom Hardy or Cillian Murphy in this role, despite rampant fan theories. Page’s actual character turned out to be Sinon, a Greek soldier involved in the Trojan horse scheme, a role far removed from the battlefield glory associated with Achilles.

It’s worth noting that Achilles is primarily the central figure of Homer’s ‘Iliad’ rather than ‘The Odyssey’, where he only makes a brief appearance. Thus, his absence from Nolan’s adaptation aligns with the source material. Given the marketing’s heavy emphasis on Trojan War imagery, it’s understandable why many expected him to appear, but Nolan appears to have concentrated on Odysseus’s journey instead of delving into Achilles’ story.

As for Paris, while he does not have a confirmed casting or presence in Nolan’s adaptation, his significance is acknowledged through Helen of Troy. Lupita Nyong’o portrays Helen, and interpretations of the original epic vary on whether she was abducted by or eloped with Prince Paris of Troy. Regardless, her departure from Sparta ignited the decade-long conflict between the Greeks and Trojans.

This context is crucial as it indicates that Nolan treats Paris more as a backstory element rather than an active character in this film. The war and its origins, including Paris and Helen, serve as memories and motivations for Odysseus rather than scenes depicted on screen.

Nyong’o also plays a second role in the film, taking on Helen’s sister Clytemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon. Again, translations differ regarding Clytemnestra’s involvement in her husband’s fate after his return from war, but this character adds another layer connecting the cast to the broader mythology surrounding the Trojan War.

Hector, the Trojan prince and one of the most renowned warriors in Greek mythology, is also absent from the confirmed roles in ‘The Odyssey’. The cast includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Charlize Theron as Circe, Zendaya as Athena, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Mia Goth as Melantho, Benny Safdie as Agamemnon, Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, John Leguizamo as Eumaeus, and Himesh Patel as Eurylochus.

None of these confirmed roles align with Hector, and there’s no indication in casting reports that he was included in the film at all. This absence is consistent with the narrative of ‘The Odyssey’, as Hector’s death occurs in the ‘Iliad’, long before Odysseus embarks on his ten-year journey home.

‘The Odyssey’ follows Ithaca’s king Odysseus on his quest to return home after the Trojan War, a story believed to have been composed between 750 and 650 B.C. This framing clarifies why Paris, Hector, and Achilles were omitted or reduced to references rather than fully developed characters.

The film is described as fraught with storms, monsters, and numerous twists as Odysseus grapples with memories of the Trojan War and visions of the goddess Athena, portrayed by Zendaya. This suggests that the war exists in the film mainly as a haunting memory for Odysseus rather than as a narrative element featuring its most famous warriors.

Considering how easily Nolan could have incorporated Achilles into the story, his absence makes sense when you reflect on what ‘The Odyssey’ is fundamentally about. The decision to sideline the Trojan War’s most notable figures in favor of Odysseus’s personal journey appears intentional rather than an oversight, aligning with a filmmaker renowned for meticulously crafting his narratives.

So, if you left the theater wondering why there wasn’t a climactic Hector versus Achilles showdown, now you understand it was never that kind of film. What are your thoughts on Nolan’s choice to exclude Paris, Hector, and Achilles from the main action? Do you believe ‘The Odyssey’ would have benefited from showcasing the Trojan War more prominently?