Tom Holland is speaking out about his experience working with filmmaker Christopher Nolan, and his praise couldn’t be higher. The English actor, who recently wrapped production on Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, called it “the best experience of my career so far” and a “job of a lifetime.”
Holland plays Telemachus, the son of the legendary hero Odysseus (played by Matt Damon) in Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s classic tale. In a recent interview, Holland gushed about the script, calling it “the best script I’ve ever read.”
A Collaborative Genius
While Nolan is known for his meticulously crafted films, Holland emphasized that the director’s set is surprisingly collaborative. He described Nolan as a “true master of his craft” who has a clear vision but also encourages his actors to contribute.
“Chris is a real collaborator. He knows what he wants… but it is not an environment where you can’t pitch ideas or build characters in certain ways,” Holland said. This stands in contrast to the perception of Nolan as a director who leaves little room for improvisation.
Holland’s admiration extends beyond the director to his producing partner and wife, Emma Thomas. “Working with Chris, getting to know him and Emma was absolutely fantastic,” Holland said in a previous interview. He added that he’s “never seen someone that can work the way that they do, and there is a reason why they’re the best in the business.”
An All-Star Cast and a Blockbuster Follow-Up
The film, which is Nolan’s first since his Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, is slated to release on July 17, 2026. The cast is a true ensemble of A-list talent, including Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, and Elliot Page.
For Holland, getting the call to join the film was a career-defining moment. In an interview on Good Morning America, he likened it to the phone call he received 10 years ago to play Spider-Man. He said it was “the phone call of a lifetime” and that he is “super proud and I’m really, really excited.”