Which 2017 translation influenced Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of The Odyssey (2026)?

Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation influenced Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of The Odyssey (2026).

Wilson’s translation was the first English translation of Homer’s Odyssey by a woman. Published in 2017, it attracted attention for its direct, contemporary language and for making the poem’s social and political dynamics especially accessible to modern readers.

Nolan cited Wilson’s version as an influence while developing his characterization of Odysseus. The director was particularly interested in presenting Odysseus as an extremely clever, inventive, and strategically minded figure rather than as a simple traditional hero.

Other well-known English translations include versions by Robert Fagles, Richmond Lattimore, and Stanley Lombardo. Those are important works in their own right, but the production information for Nolan’s film specifically identifies Wilson’s 2017 translation as an inspiration. The film is an adaptation rather than a direct screen version of any single English translation.