A complete guide to 'The Odyssey' cast, from the Greek gods to the mortals

Matt Damon and Zendaya in "The Odyssey."Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicturesChristopher Nolan's new movie is an interpretation of the ancient Greek epic, "The Odyssey."The movie stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, and more.Here's a rundown of the cast, who they play, and why each character matters in the story.In his latest blockbuster, "The Odyssey," Christopher Nolan takes on one of the oldest and most iconic stories in recorded history.Likely composed sometime between the late seventh and late eighth century, "The Odyssey" is an epic poem that draws on a tradition of oral storytelling, folklore, and ancient Greek mythology.Nolan's version features an array of A-listers as mythical figures, including Matt Damon as the hero Odysseus, Tom Holland as his son Telemachus, Zendaya as the goddess Athena, and Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy.Keep reading for a guide to the cast and characters in Nolan's "The Odyssey," and their importance in the original text.Matt Damon plays Odysseus, the hero of the story.Matt Damon in "The Odyssey."Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicturesAs its name suggests, "The Odyssey" centers on Odysseus, the king of Ithaca.Although Odysseus is ostensibly the hero, he's depicted as a morally complex character. He's an archetypal trickster — sharp, persuasive, and cunning — which helps him win the favor of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. However, his deception and arrogance also earn him a powerful enemy in Poseidon, the god of the sea.Before the events of "The Odyssey," Odysseus fought in the Trojan War alongside his friends and Greek allies, including Menelaus and Agamemnon. (More on them later.)The conflict lasted for 10 years and finally ended when Odysseus, inspired by Athena, proposed hiding in a hollow wooden horse to breach Troy's defenses. The Greek army brutally sacked the city and emerged victorious — but while all the other soldiers returned home with spoils of war, Odysseus and his crew remained lost at sea."The Odyssey" famously begins "in media res," or "in the middle of things." When the epic poem introduces Odysseus, he has already been trying to reach his homeland for 10 years.Tom Holland plays Odysseus' son, Telemachus.Tom Holland in "The Odyssey."Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicturesTelemachus was a baby when Odysseus set sail for Troy, so in "The Odyssey," he's in his early 20s.Despite his young age, Telemachus is described in the poem as prudent, thoughtful, and level-headed. In Odysseus' absence, he should be treated as the man of the house, yet he's constantly disrespected by the men who hope to marry his mother.Still, Telemachus is devoted to protecting his mother and their home. With encouragement from Athena, who appears to him in disguise, Telemachus decides to go out in search of news about Odysseus. He meets with Nestor, the king of Pylos, then with Menelaus and Helen in Sparta.Anne Hathaway plays Odysseus' wife, Penelope.Mia Goth and Anne Hathaway in "The Odyssey."Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicturesPenelope has been waiting for a decade for her husband to return from war — two decades, if you count the war itself. She remains fiercely loyal to Odysseus and resists her suitors with subtle trickery: by day, she weaves a burial shroud, and by night, she unravels her progress. She says she must finish the shroud before she can remarry.Much like her husband, Penelope is clever and resourceful — but she can't stop these men from ransacking her home, killing her sheep, wasting her food, and threatening to seize her family's wealth. Her stalling tactics have worked thus far, but she's running out of time.Mia Goth plays Penelope's maid, Melantho.Mia Goth at the London premiere of "The Odyssey."Zak Hussein/Variety via Getty ImagesMelantho is an enslaved woman in Odysseus and Penelope's home. In Odysseus' absence, she tends to Penelope as a maid, although her loyalty is questionable.John Leguizamo plays Eumaeus, a goatherd and faithful servant to Odysseus.John Leguizamo in "The Odyssey."Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicturesEumaeus was born into a noble household. As a child, he was trafficked and sold as a slave.Eumaeus is depicted as humble, generous, and dependable. In Emily Wilson's 2018 translation of "The Odyssey," he is described as the one who "cared most about preserving / the master's property."Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, one of Penelope's suitors.Robert Pattinson in "The Odyssey."Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicturesAntinous is a prominent suitor competing for Penelope's hand in marriage. His father knew Odysseus personally, but that certainly doesn't make him more respectful in Odysseus' home; Antinous is cruel to Eumaeus and plots to murder Telemachus. He also catches on to Penelope's trick with the shroud.Zendaya plays the goddess Athena, who is particularly fond of Odysseus.Zendaya at the New York premiere of "The Odyssey."Dominik Bindl/FilmMagicAthena is a daughter of Zeus, the pinnacle of Greek gods. According to myt

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