The Odyssey cast’s final Oscar push for acting roles
The Oscar Chase: Universal’s Strategic Play for Acting Recognition in The Odyssey
As the Academy Awards dust settles, the race for acting recognition is heating up. Following the massive success of Oppenheimer, Universal is now turning its attention to the next big cinematic juggernaut, The Odyssey, launching a determined campaign to secure acting nominations. The goal? To tie Ryan Coogler’s Sinners for all-time nominations, and to ensure the phenomenal ensemble cast of The Odyssey gets the spotlight it deserves.
With such an all-star lineup assembled for the epic, Universal had to make some smart, strategic choices about which talents to push for acting consideration. While the push for Best Picture and Director categories is straightforward, the real game is in the acting categories. The studio’s decisions reveal a keen understanding of Hollywood dynamics, aiming to maximize visibility for their talented cast.
The confirmed list of actors vying for these coveted roles features some major names. Matt Damon is naturally slated for Best Actor. For the supporting roles, the spotlight shines on Anne Hathaway and Samantha Morton, who are both competing for Best Supporting Actress. Meanwhile, Tom Holland, John Leguizamo, and Robert Pattinson are all vying for Best Supporting Actor.
Interestingly, the strategy behind highlighting Anne Hathaway in the supporting actress category is a masterstroke. By placing her there, Universal aims to boost her odds without letting her compete directly with other major contenders for that award, such as Julianne Moore’s compelling performance in The Debut.
The supporting cast also includes other notable figures who made significant contributions to the film, including Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Calypso, Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy/Clytemnestra, Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, Elliot Page as Sinon, and Himesh Patel as Eurylochus. While these talents were integral to the story, they were ultimately not selected for the formal acting consideration list.
The Odyssey has proven its staying power at the box office, grossing roughly $1.55 billion worldwide. This success is amplified by the film’s spectacular visual experience, with IMAX screenings alone generating $257 million in ticket sales, cementing it as the highest-grossing IMAX film to date. Fans can now enjoy this epic digital release on November 17, 2026, available to rent and purchase on digital platforms. For those seeking a physical copy, The Odyssey is available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray the same day.
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