Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland on “Odyssey” Memories and Those Morning Hikes: ‘Zipping Past Me like a Gazelle’ (Exclusive)

Anticipation is growing for Christopher Nolan’s latest film, The Odyssey, which is set to hit theatres on 17 July. This ancient Greek epic has brought together a star-studded cast, with Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Holland at the forefront. Ahead of the film’s release, the trio, along with director Christopher Nolan, took part in an engaging roundtable discussion with PEOPLE, sharing anecdotes from the filming experience and the bond they developed on set.

At the heart of The Odyssey, Matt Damon portrays Odysseus, a heroic king on a two-decade journey to return to his home in Ithaca. There, he must reunite with his wife, Penelope, played by Hathaway, and his now-adult son, Telemachus, portrayed by Holland. The stakes are high as the kingdom wrestles with suitors vying for the throne in his absence.

The actors fondly reminisced about their time on set, revealing that much has changed in their lives since they wrapped filming last summer. Notably, Hathaway shared her recent pregnancy news, which took Damon by surprise during the reunion. “I was like the only person who didn’t know,” Damon remarked, eliciting laughter from the group.

The conversation quickly shifted to their earliest encounters with Homer’s classic tale. Hathaway spoke of her eighth-grade introduction to Greek mythology, recalling how it ignited a lifelong interest. Meanwhile, Holland admitted to feeling overwhelmed when he learned he would be part of such a monumental project, confessing he scrambled for any information he could recall to impress the director.

Damon fondly recalled receiving the call from Nolan about joining the project. He described it as unexpected and altogether different from his previous experiences, revealing that Nolan’s producing partner, Emma Thomas, had given him a heads-up about the call. Holland, on the other hand, had to adjust his commitments to Spider-Man in order to take part, joking about a conversation with his partner, Zendaya, who insisted he prioritise The Odyssey.

The cast members also reflected on how their interactions off-screen contributed to their on-screen dynamic as a family. Although they did not indulge in bonding activities such as games, their history with each other helped forge a strong connection. Hathaway recounted their early meeting during the production of Interstellar, noting, “If that’s not a bonding experience, I’m not sure what is.”

Many of the film’s cast and crew undertook daily hikes to an Italian castle that served as the film’s Ithaca set. The effort and camaraderie of these treks became a point of discussion, with Nolan admitting to the challenge of keeping up with Holland, who bounded ahead like a gazelle. Holland spoke highly of the rigorous hiking, which energised the cast before they began filming, although he described feeling exhausted after a demanding fight scene shot on the edge of a cliff.

Although the filming process was notoriously demanding, the actors shared touching moments of kindness that stood out amid the challenges. Damon remembered receiving a warm and oversized jacket during a particularly cold scene in Iceland, while Hathaway recalled how Nolan ensured the cast and crew were well-fed while on set. “I just remember you handing out sandwiches to everybody,” she said, highlighting Nolan’s concern for the team’s wellbeing during long hours.

Nolan, however, modestly downplayed the gesture, explaining that he felt it was his responsibility to ensure everyone was comfortable before he could eat himself. “You see so many little acts of people helping each other along the way to get it done,” he remarked, emphasising the sense of teamwork that defined their experience.

As the cast and crew prepare for the film’s premiere, their shared memories and experiences on set resonate deeply. The Odyssey, steeped in themes of loyalty, perseverance, and family, promises to be a powerful cinematic journey when it arrives in theatres.

For those eager to learn more about the film and its making, additional insights will be featured in the upcoming issue of PEOPLE, available this Friday. The buzz around The Odyssey is palpable, and audiences are set for an epic adventure come 17 July.