The Greek Mythology Epic Christopher Nolan Almost Directed Before The Odyssey Is a Streaming Hit 22 Years Later

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With Christopher Nolan‘s new film inspired by Greek mythology on the horizon, another movie based on a classic Greek story is gaining attention – and Nolan was once considered to direct it. Wolfgang Petersen’s adaptation of Homer’s The Iliad, originally released 22 years ago, is now unexpectedly finding a new audience on streaming services.

The 2004 film Troy, featuring Brad Pitt as Achilles, beautifully portrays the story of the Trojan War. It’s currently a popular choice on AMC+, rising from the 10th to the 7th spot between May 19th and 24th in the U.S. The movie is also gaining traction on streaming and rental platforms like Apple TV and Google.

It’s impressive to see this movie gaining popularity again, especially considering it received mixed reviews when it first came out, but always maintained a dedicated fanbase. The release timing, so close to Christopher Nolan’s new film The Odyssey, is likely intentional.

Troy Is An Epic Story With Even More Spectacular Production

As a huge fan of historical epics, I always loved Troy. It’s set in ancient Greece and kicks off when a Trojan prince runs off with the Spartan king’s wife, Helen. What starts as a really awkward international incident quickly spirals into the legendary Trojan War, and the film really centers around Brad Pitt’s incredible performance as the powerful Achilles.

The film Troy featured a strong cast, including Eric Bana as Hector, Orlando Bloom as Paris, and Diane Kruger as Helen, alongside established actors like Brian Cox, Sean Bean, Brendan Gleeson, and Rose Byrne. Notably, one of its writers would later co-create Game of Thrones. Despite receiving mixed reviews, Troy, made with a $175 million budget, was a huge commercial success, earning over $497 million worldwide and becoming one of the decade’s biggest epic films.

Although critics gave Troy a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences enjoyed it much more, with a score of 74%. This difference in opinion really shows how the film was actually received. The movie’s emotional moments and stunning scenery resonated with viewers far more than critics expected.

Christopher Nolan Missed Directing Troy

Wolfgang Petersen was originally developing a film based on The Odyssey for Empire Magazine. When the studio cancelled his Batman vs. Superman project, he became interested in directing Troy again. This allowed Christopher Nolan to move onto Batman Begins, which ultimately revolutionized the superhero genre – a fortunate turn of events for everyone involved.

Christopher Nolan has apparently long been fascinated by Ancient Greece and always wanted to make a film set in that world, especially after he wasn’t able to work on the movie Troy. He’s now developing a new project, scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, featuring a star-studded cast including Zendaya, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Travis Scott, and Anne Hathaway.

Troy is streaming on AMC+.

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2026-05-25 00:36