The press tour for Christopher Nolan's latest film,The Odyssey, has drawn significant attention for its star-studded red carpet appearances, even as the director faces mounting criticism over casting decisions, historical inaccuracies, and the use of modern dialogue. Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, and Matt Damon have been turning heads with their fashion choices, while Lupita Nyong'o has also impressed despite backlash over her casting.
Zendaya, who plays the goddess Athena in the film, has channeled her character through a series of striking white gowns. At one event, she wore a loose-fitting Jacquemus gown with a halter neckline and dramatic low back, paired with gold disk earrings reportedly dating back 2,000 to 3,000 years. Her stylist, Law Roach, shared a video of the look on Instagram, drawing praise from fans who called it stunning. For the world premiere in London, Zendaya wore a Schiaparelli dress with a sculpted bodice and mirrored details, designed to resemble ancient Greek statues. Roach revealed he traveled to Paris on a private jet to secure the dress just days after its runway debut. At the Paris premiere, she wore a sheer white lace dress with a large cutout, thigh-high slit, and ruffled sleeves, accessorized with a statement necklace and blue eyeshadow.
Anne Hathaway, who is pregnant with her third child, has also made headlines with her elegant maternity looks. At a London photocall, she wore a flowing white Blumarine Resort gown with sheer balloon sleeves and ruffles, paired with brown knee-high suede boots and gold jewelry. For the London premiere, she chose a strapless blue Dior gown with a pleated skirt and floral embellishment, telling Entertainment Tonight she had asked the designer to hold the dress for her duringThe Devil Wears Prada 2press. In Paris, she cradled her baby bump in a custom brown Louis Vuitton dress with a leather top and flowing pleated skirt, accessorized with a dual-toned choker featuring a blue jewel.
Matt Damon, who portrays Odysseus, brought a touch of classic Hollywood to the red carpet in a dark red suit. During an appearance on Amy Poehler's podcastGood Hang, Damon described preparing for the physically demanding role as a complete lifestyle change, noting that there was no way to plan for it beyond committing fully. The film follows Odysseus's 10-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, a story that has captivated audiences for millennia.
Despite the glamour, Nolan has faced significant backlash online. Critics have targeted his casting choices, historical inaccuracies in the film, and the use of modern dialogue, which some argue undermines the epic's ancient Greek setting. The controversy has not dampened the enthusiasm of fans, who continue to praise the cast's red carpet appearances. Lupita Nyong'o, who also stars in the film, has been a standout in floor-length sheer gowns and asymmetrical short white dresses, proving that the press tour is as much about fashion as it is about film.
The film, which adapts Homer's ancient Greek epic, has generated intense debate among audiences and scholars alike. Nolan's decision to incorporate contemporary language and diverge from historical details has sparked discussions about artistic license versus fidelity to source material. However, the director's track record with complex narratives and visual storytelling suggests thatThe Odysseymay still resonate with viewers when it hits theaters.
As the press tour continues, all eyes remain on the cast's fashion choices, which have become a cultural talking point in their own right. Zendaya's ability to blend ancient and modern aesthetics, Hathaway's graceful maternity style, and Damon's classic suiting have all contributed to a tour that is as memorable for its wardrobe as for its cinematic ambitions.
