Anne Hathaway on playing Penelope in The Odyssey: 'I'm a mama bear'
Synopsis
Anne Hathaway is pregnant, fresh off The Devil Wears Prada 2, and about to headline one of summer's biggest films — and she says real-life motherhood is exactly what unlocked Penelope's fierce protectiveness in The Odyssey. It's a rare moment of personal and professional convergence that few actors get to experience.
Key Takeaways
Anne Hathaway plays Penelope , wife of Matt Damon 's Odysseus, in The Odyssey , due for release on 17 July .
Hathaway, 43 , is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman and said her pregnancy informed her portrayal of Penelope's protectiveness.
The film also stars Tom Holland , Zendaya , and Robert Pattinson , adapting Homer 's ancient Greek epic.
In the story, Penelope and son Telemachus face pressure from Antinous (Pattinson), who seeks to marry Penelope and usurp Odysseus.
Hathaway's red carpet appearance follows the recent release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 , marking a rare dual-blockbuster moment in her career.
Actress Anne Hathaway has opened up about stepping into the role of Penelope — the steadfast wife of Matt Damon's Odysseus — in director Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic The Odyssey, revealing that her character's fierce protectiveness was drawn directly from her own experience as a mother-to-be.
The Role and the Personal Connection
The 43-year-old actress, currently expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, described herself in candid terms during the film's promotional circuit. 'I'm a little bit of a mama bear, nothing comes between me and my cubs,' she told People. 'And I definitely think, given everything all that Penelope was going through, given how high the stakes were, given how targeted her son in particular was without his father there, she knew that she had to be protective in more than one way.'
The timing is notable: Hathaway is navigating a high-profile awards season run while pregnant, lending her portrayal of the long-suffering Penelope an authenticity that goes beyond the scripted page.
What the Film Covers
The Odyssey, adapted from the ancient Greek epic poem by Homer, charts Odysseus's obstacle-laden voyage home to the island of Ithaca after helping Greek forces prevail in the Trojan War. Back on Ithaca, Penelope and her son Telemachus face mounting pressure of their own — with Robert Pattinson's scheming Antinous attempting to wed Penelope and seize Odysseus's place. The film also stars Tom Holland and Zendaya, making it one of the most anticipated ensemble releases of the summer.
A Career at Full Tilt
Hathaway's appearance on the red carpet comes just months after The Devil Wears Prada 2 was released, placing her at the centre of two major cultural moments simultaneously. She acknowledged the rarity of the moment with characteristic self-awareness: 'It's extremely surreal. But I'm at an age and a moment in my career where I know stuff like this doesn't come around very often, certainly doesn't last forever, so I'm just gonna surf this wave for as long as it lasts.'
'I'm going to enjoy being on my board, and then when I fall in the water, that'll be that moment!' she added.
Release and What to Expect
The Odyssey is scheduled for release on 17 July. With a cast that spans Hathaway, Damon, Holland, Zendaya, and Pattinson, the film arrives with considerable commercial and critical expectations. For Hathaway personally, it marks another chapter in a career resurgence that few in Hollywood are currently matching.
Point of View
But it also points to something the film's marketing has leaned into: the idea that this is not a dusty classical adaptation but a story about a woman holding a household together under siege. Whether the film delivers on that promise is another question. What is clear is that Hathaway — pregnant, post-Prada, and pre-Odyssey — is having a career moment that is genuinely unusual in its density. The industry should pay attention to how she navigates the next six months; it may redefine what a 'comeback arc' looks like for women over 40 in Hollywood.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Anne Hathaway play in The Odyssey?
Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, in The Odyssey. Odysseus is portrayed by Matt Damon in the film, which is an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic poem.
Why did Anne Hathaway say she related to Penelope's protectiveness?
Hathaway, who is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, said her real-life experience as a mother informed her portrayal. She described herself as 'a little bit of a mama bear' and said Penelope's situation — protecting her son Telemachus without Odysseus present — resonated with her personally.
When is The Odyssey releasing?
The Odyssey is scheduled for release on 17 July. The film stars Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson.
What is the plot of The Odyssey film?
The film follows Odysseus on his perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, while back home his wife Penelope and son Telemachus face a threat from Antinous — played by Robert Pattinson — who attempts to marry Penelope and take Odysseus's place.
What other film has Anne Hathaway recently appeared in?
Hathaway recently appeared in The Devil Wears Prada 2, making The Odyssey her second major release in a short span — an unusually busy moment she described as 'extremely surreal'.
