How much The Odyssey cast got paid and Christopher Nolan’s hidden bonus explained

If you, like me, are nosy, then you’ll no doubt want to know how much the cast earned for their roles in The Odyssey. Unsurprisingly, working on a Christopher Nolan film comes with its perks. 

The impressive practical sets and IMAX 70mm cameras meant The Odyssey came with a hefty price tag of $250 million – although already it’s well on its way to making that back, having earned $264 million in its opening weekend alone. 

Of course, a significant chunk went towards the cast. The Odyssey is like the Avengers: Endgame of Greek mythology – every star but the kitchen sink bagged a role. 

The list includes Matt Damon, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Charlize Theron, John Leguizamo, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, and even Travis Scott – and that’s not even every name. 

Although official numbers are yet to be released, the estimated salaries for the main stars have emerged online, but before we get into it, there’s something you should know about the  perks of working on Nolan films. 

The Christopher Nolan bonus

Those who wield enough star power and take on significant roles in his films can work out a deal whereby they negotiate to receive a cut of the royalties. And any Nolan fan worth their salt will know that this will always end up being lucrative. 

For instance, Variety reported that Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and Emily Blunt agreed to $4 million upfront for their roles in Oppenheimer. Normally this would be way below their usual salaries, but the outlet noted that they had backend participation built into their deals. 

And given Oppenheimer nearly made a billion dollars, this would’ve proven very lucrative indeed. This also applies to Nolan himself, who is known to secure a $20 million upfront salary as an advance against 20% of the studio’s total box office gross.

As said, no salary details for The Odyssey have been officially confirmed. The figures below have circulated widely online but have not yet been verified by Universal, so just take them as estimates for the time being…

Matt Damon

As the film’s lead, Matt Damon unsurprisingly tops the salary list with an estimated $15 million payday. He stars as the legendary Greek king Odysseus, who embarks on a perilous journey home after the Trojan War.

Tom Holland

Multiple reports claim Tom Holland earned around $10 million for playing Telemachus, Odysseus’ son. His character embarks on his own journey while searching for news of his long-lost father.

Zendaya

Zendaya reportedly received approximately $5 million to portray the goddess Athena. This sounds like a huge drop but then her screentime was significantly less than Holland and Damon. 

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway is said to have been paid around $4-5 million for taking on the role of Penelope, Odysseus’ wife and the Queen of Ithaca. While awaiting her husband’s return, she famously fends off dozens of suitors determined to claim the throne.

Robert Pattinson

2026 has been a busy year for Robert Pattinson, and it’s not slowing down. He reportedly earned an estimated $6 million for his role in The Odyssey. In the film, he plays the villain Antinous, one of the suitors trying to marry Penelope. 

Lupita Nyong’o

Playing the dual roles of Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra, Lupita Nyong’o received an estimated $1.5-$2 million. Her tragic story serves as an important warning to Odysseus about what could await him when he finally returns home.

Elliot Page

Much like Nyong’o, it’s reported that Elliot Page received around $1.5 million for his role. In The Odyssey, he portrays Sinon, a Greek soldier who misled the Trojans. Funnily enough, Sinon isn’t mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey – instead, his story’s told in Virgil’s Aeneid hundreds of years later. 

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