Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic The Odyssey keeps adding big names to its already star-studded cast. The latest surprise? Grammy Award-nominated rapper and multiplatinum artist Travis Scott.
The minute-long trailer, which debuted on Fox during a pause in the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos, revealed Scott about 20 seconds in. He’s seen addressing a room of soldiers with fiery intensity, discussing a war, a man, and a trick to breach the walls of Troy. His lines—“Burning. Screaming to the ground.”—hint at the dramatic, larger-than-life tone Nolan is known for.
The Odyssey already boasts a heavyweight lineup with Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. This will be Nolan’s first feature since 2023’s Oppenheimer and promises to bring Homer’s classic Greek epic to life, shot entirely with IMAX cameras to capture every sweeping battle and intimate moment in cinematic grandeur.
While Scott’s acting résumé may not match the experience of his co-stars, the rapper has already dipped his toes into film. He appeared in the experimental action movie Aggro Dr1ft in 2023 and lent his voice to Trolls: Holiday in Harmony. His participation in The Odyssey demonstrates his growing interest in storytelling beyond music.
“These are just different aspects that I was intrigued and was into, to be honest,” Scott told Rolling Stone in a recent cover story. “I’m just into all things creative. I might not be the best in everything. That’s how I can respect working with other people in certain fields that I’m not so good in.”
Scott’s collaboration with Nolan isn’t entirely new. He previously contributed musically to Nolan’s Tenet (2020), writing and performing the closing credits track, “The Plan.” At the time, Nolan told GQ, “His voice became the final piece of a yearlong puzzle. His insights into the musical and narrative mechanism [composer] Ludwig Göransson and I were building were immediate, insightful, and profound.”
Although Universal Pictures has not yet officially released the latest The Odyssey trailer, clips have circulated on social media, though many have already been removed due to copyright violations.
Scott’s cameo adds a modern cultural twist to Nolan’s retelling of Homer, blending epic storytelling with contemporary creative energy. Fans are eager to see how his performance fits alongside veterans like Damon and Hathaway, and whether his involvement signals a larger trend of musicians crossing into blockbuster cinema in unexpected ways.
Filmed entirely on IMAX cameras, The Odyssey promises a visually immersive experience. Early promotional material teases grand battles, intimate character moments, and Nolan’s signature manipulation of time and perspective. With Scott delivering lines to a group of soldiers, it’s clear that the film will mix traditional epic storytelling with striking, cinematic performances.
Nolan’s attention to detail extends beyond cinematography. The casting of Scott demonstrates his interest in bringing diverse voices and artistic perspectives to his films. His presence may intrigue audiences who wouldn’t typically attend a Greek epic adaptation while also amplifying the film’s buzz on social media and music platforms.
The Odyssey is scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, and anticipation is already high among fans of Nolan, classical literature adaptations, and blockbuster cinema alike. With Scott joining the fray, the film bridges multiple fan bases, generating excitement across both film and music communities.
Whether Scott’s appearance is a brief cameo or a more substantial role, it marks an unexpected but intriguing addition to Nolan’s cinematic vision. The combination of a Greek epic, IMAX cinematography, a superstar ensemble cast, and a rapper known for his high-energy performances ensures The Odyssey will be a cultural talking point this summer.
For now, audiences will have to wait for Universal Pictures to release the official trailer online. Until then, the footage shown during the NFL broadcast has already sparked discussions about Scott’s involvement, his acting chops, and what surprises Nolan may have in store for his interpretation of the legendary story.
