Tom Holland cheered on Zendaya during her biggest 'The Odyssey' scene
Synopsis
Tom Holland didn't need a call sheet to show up for Zendaya — he turned up in sweatpants, hid in a corner, and watched her film one of the biggest scenes in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey.' It's a small, human detail that cuts through the epic scale of one of 2025's most anticipated productions.
Key Takeaways
Tom Holland was present on set during Zendaya's major scene in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey , dressed in sweatpants and watching from the sidelines.
Holland plays Telemachus ; Zendaya plays the Greek goddess of wisdom Athena ; Matt Damon plays Odysseus .
Anne Hathaway , cast as Penelope , confirmed Holland and Zendaya share at least one scene together.
Holland described working with Academy Award-winning director Nolan as 'an amazing experience,' with first-timers leaning on veterans for guidance.
The Odyssey , composed by Homer circa 750–850 BC , has been translated into English more than 100 times and follows Odysseus's 10-year journey home after war.
Hollywood actor Tom Holland revealed that he quietly showed up on set to support his wife Zendaya during a pivotal sequence in director Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic The Odyssey — wearing sweatpants and hiding in the corner, by his own account.
The On-Set Moment Holland Described
Speaking to CTV's E Talk, Holland recounted being present when Zendaya filmed her 'big massive scene during the siege of Troy.' Rather than drawing attention to himself, he said he was dressed in 'sweatpants and a hoodie,' watching from the sidelines and simply enjoying her performance. 'Literally I was like ‘I'm here if you need me,’' he said. 'It was a wild experience for both of us, you know?'
What Their Co-Stars Said
Anne Hathaway, who plays Holland's on-screen mother Penelope, confirmed the shared moment, noting, 'There is a scene where you are both in the same room though.' Holland agreed, adding that while his character Telemachus and Zendaya's character — the Greek goddess of wisdom Athena — do share screen time, the dynamic between them differs from what Matt Damon's Odysseus receives. As Holland put it, Damon 'got enlightenment from Zendaya, and you didn't, not once.'
First-Time Nolan Collaborators Find Their Footing
Holland also spoke about what it was like working with Academy Award-winning director Nolan for the first time, alongside other newcomers to his set. He described leaning on veterans for reassurance, saying, '(There were) veterans, that we could be like you know ‘Am I doing a good job? Like I don't know what's happening.’' He added that Zendaya shares the same sense of wonder about the experience.
About 'The Odyssey' and Its Source Material
The Odyssey is one of antiquity's most enduring works, composed by the Greek poet Homer and transcribed circa 750–850 BC, according to the BBC. The epic follows Odysseus, King of Ithaca, on his arduous journey home after 10 years of warfare. The story features appearances from ancient Greek deities and has been translated into English more than 100 times. Nolan's adaptation marks one of the most anticipated cinematic takes on the classic text in recent memory.
With principal photography evidently underway, audiences will be watching closely to see how Nolan — known for his meticulous visual storytelling — translates Homer's sprawling mythology onto the screen.
Point of View
And their casting together in a prestige Nolan epic is itself a strategic bet on generational star power. Whether the film can carry that weight — and translate Homer's gods and kings into a contemporary cinematic language — is the real story behind these behind-the-scenes glimpses.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tom Holland's role in 'The Odyssey'?
Tom Holland plays Telemachus , the son of Odysseus, in Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey . His character shares the screen with Zendaya's portrayal of the goddess Athena, though Holland joked that Telemachus does not receive the same 'enlightenment' from Athena that Odysseus does.
What role does Zendaya play in 'The Odyssey'?
Zendaya plays Athena , the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey . She filmed a major scene during the siege of Troy, which Tom Holland attended as a supportive presence on set.
Who else is in the cast of Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'?
The confirmed cast includes Tom Holland as Telemachus, Zendaya as Athena, Matt Damon as Odysseus, and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. The film is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan .
What is 'The Odyssey' about?
The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic composed by the poet Homer , transcribed circa 750–850 BC . It follows Odysseus, King of Ithaca , on his difficult journey home after 10 years of warfare, and features appearances from various Greek deities. It has been translated into English more than 100 times .
How did Tom Holland describe working with Christopher Nolan?
Holland called it 'an amazing experience,' noting that first-time Nolan collaborators leaned on veteran cast members for reassurance on set. He said Zendaya shares the same feeling about working with the acclaimed director.
