The Odyssey has locked in its Oscar acting submissions, with Matt Damon leading the push in Best Actor, according to reports published on October 27. The Odyssey Oscar submissions reveal Universal’s strategy for Christopher Nolan’s epic, which has become the studio’s biggest film of all time.
Damon, who plays Odysseus, is the film’s lone lead contender. Anne Hathaway, who plays Penelope, and Samantha Morton, who plays Circe, will compete in Best Supporting Actress. In Best Supporting Actor, the studio is campaigning Tom Holland as Telemachus, Robert Pattinson as Antinous and John Leguizamo as Eumaeus.
The Surprising Omissions
The more surprising news concerns who is not on the list. Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliot Page and Jon Bernthal were all left out of the acting races, according to Film Updates, which first shared the submission list.
That is notable given that Zendaya, Theron and Nyong’o were all part of the film’s top-line ensemble. Awards strategists often face this problem with large casts: submitting too many names in the same category risks splitting votes, and studios must choose the contenders with the strongest narratives.
A Record-Breaking Run Behind the Campaign
The film has given Universal plenty of leverage. It reached $1.352 billion worldwide in August, overtaking Deadpool and Wolverine as the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, and became Nolan’s biggest hit ever. By mid-September it had passed $1.677 billion and become Universal’s biggest film of all time.
Behind the scenes, Nolan is also submitted for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, with Emma Thomas and Nolan up for Best Picture and John Papsidera for Best Casting. The breadth of the submissions signals a full-scale Best Picture campaign, not just an acting push.
What Happens Next
Oscar submissions are only the first step. The Academy’s shortlists and nominations will determine whether Universal’s choices pay off, and the omissions of Zendaya and Theron are likely to fuel debate through awards season. For now, the strategy is clear: Damon leads, Hathaway and Morton support, and Holland, Pattinson and Leguizamo round out a formidable supporting actor slate.
Related: The Odyssey Sets All-Time IMAX Record With $1.78 Billion Haul
