Nolan’s The Odyssey sold out in IMAX as director rejects AI filmmaking
The film, shot entirely on IMAX film by cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, utilises practical sets and large-scale extras to create an immersive experience that contrasts sharply with the LED volume technology prevalent in recent Star Wars and Marvel productions.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is being positioned as a definitive cinematic event, with the director and critics emphasising the superiority of 70mm IMAX film projection over digital alternatives and AI-generated content. The film, shot entirely on IMAX film by cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, utilises practical sets and large-scale extras to create an immersive experience that contrasts sharply with the LED volume technology prevalent in recent Star Wars and Marvel productions.
Nolan has publicly criticised the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, citing its rejection by audiences and contrasting the organic quality of his work with what he describes as the "slop" of AI-generated films. The release has generated significant demand, with genuine IMAX 70mm screenings reportedly sold out for weeks, highlighting a consumer preference for traditional, high-fidelity theatrical experiences.
Engadget reviewer describes The Odyssey as a "masterpiece" when viewed on 70mm film, with the IMAX experience offering superior immersion compared to standard theatrical screenings. Specific visual details noted include an opening shot of the Trojan Horse buried on a beach and an aerial view of Odysseus’s cliffside home in Ithaca.
The film was shot entirely on IMAX film, with cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema’s composition noted for rewarding focus on smaller details rather than the entire shot. Sound design by composer Ludwig Göransson is described as "bombastic," with specific attention paid to the clarity of weapon clangs in battle scenes and visceral sound effects during a scene involving men being turned into pigs.
Production details reveal that 2,000 extras were cast for the siege on Troy, and practical sets were built and travelled to, contrasting with LED volume technology used in recent Star Wars and Marvel projects. Christopher Nolan expressed disdain for AI in filmmaking, citing public rejection of the technology despite its adoption by Wall Street and tech companies.
Nolan referenced an AI-generated film titled Odysseus: The Fall, describing it as having "hallmarks of slop" with inhuman-looking characters and video-game-like environments. Tickets for genuine IMAX 70mm screenings are reportedly sold out for weeks, with the reviewer noting the difficulty of accessing "Lie-Max" screens versus true IMAX locations.
