On Tuesday, Zendaya shared a laugh with a crew member in her first sighting on the Southern Italian set of Christopher Nolan’s big-screen adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey.
The 28-year-old Challengers producer-star donned a simple sleeveless off-white Grecian gown while on location on the Aegadian Isle of Favignana, which is famous for its caves of calcarenite rock.
At one point, Zendaya (last name Coleman) could be seen consulting with costume designer Ellen Mirojnick.
The two-time Emmy winner’s brunette mane was styled into a surprisingly messy, braided updo for the seaside shoot.
Zendaya was joined on the rocky beach set by her shirtless co-star Matt Damon, who stars in The Odyssey as Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca.
The Oakland-born bride-to-be is rumored to be playing the Greek goddess Athena, who serves as divine counselor to Odysseus and meddles with gods like her father Zeus in his quest to return home.
On Tuesday, Zendaya shared a laugh with a crew member in her first sighting on the Southern Italian set of Christopher Nolan’s big-screen adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey
Zendaya could also be playing Calypso, a nymph who keeps Odysseus captive by force on her island Ogygia for seven years while attempting to make him her immortal husband.
There’s also a chance Zendaya could be playing Nausicaä, the beautiful daughter of King Alcinous who helps Odysseus when he’s shipwrecked on her island.
Principal photography officially began February 25, and filming is also expected to take place in Greece, Morocco, and the United Kingdom.
The Universal Pictures ‘mythic action epic shooting across the world using brand new IMAX film technology’ is already scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, 2026.
On December 26, The InSneider reported that The Odyssey will have a $250M budget, making it ‘the most expensive film’ of Nolan’s career.
The Dune: Part Two action star won’t be lonely abroad as her fiancé Tom Holland has already started filming his own role as Odysseus’ son Telemachus.
The Odyssey marks Zendaya and the 28-year-old Englishman’s fourth film together after playing love interests in three MCU Spider-Man films.
Oscar winner Anne Hathaway is rumored to be playing Odysseus’ wife, Queen of Ithica Penelope, whom he’s eager to reunite with following a perilous journey back home.
And Oscar winner Charlize Theron is said to be playing the witch goddess Circe in the 3K-year-old fantastical tale full of sirens and a cyclops.
The 28-year-old Challengers producer-star donned a simple sleeveless off-white Grecian gown while on location on the Aegadian Isle of Favignana, which is famous for its caves of calcarenite rock
At one point, Zendaya (last name Coleman) could be seen consulting with costume designer Ellen Mirojnick (in black)
The two-time Emmy winner’s brunette mane was styled into a surprisingly messy, braided updo for the seaside shoot
Zendaya was joined on the rocky beach set by her shirtless co-star Matt Damon, who stars in The Odyssey as Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca
The Oakland-born bride-to-be is rumored to be playing the Greek goddess Athena, who serves as divine counselor to Odysseus and meddles with gods like her father Zeus in his quest to return home
Zendaya could also be playing Calypso, a nymph who keeps Odysseus captive by force on her island Ogygia for seven years while attempting to make him her immortal husband
There’s also a chance Zendaya could be playing Nausicaä, the beautiful daughter of King Alcinous who helps Odysseus when he’s shipwrecked on her island (pictured with producer Emma Thomas, L)
Principal photography officially began February 25, and filming is also expected to take place in Greece, Morocco, and the United Kingdom
The Universal Pictures ‘mythic action epic shooting across the world using brand new IMAX film technology’ is already scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, 2026
On December 26, The InSneider reported that The Odyssey will have a $250M budget, making it ‘the most expensive film’ of Nolan’s career
The Dune: Part Two action star won’t be lonely abroad as her fiancé Tom Holland (2-R, pictured March 11) has already started filming his own role as Odysseus’ son Telemachus
The Odyssey marks Zendaya and the 28-year-old Englishman’s fourth film together after playing love interests in three MCU Spider-Man films (pictured in 2021)
The Odyssey ensemble cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Samantha Morton, Will Yun Lee, and Mia Goth.
Homer’s tale was most memorably adapted for the silver screen by the Coen Brothers in their 2000 satirical musical O Brother, Where Art Thou? starring George Clooney.
But other adaptations of The Odyssey include Uberto Pasolini’s 2024 drama The Return starring Ralph Fiennes as well as NBC’s 1997 miniseries starring Armand Assante and Mario Camerini’s 1954 film Ulysses starring Kirk Douglas.
On Wednesday, Deadline reported that Zendaya will produce and star as singer Ronnie Spector in Barry Jenkins’ biopic Be My Baby (based on her 2022 memoir) for A24.
Just Jared reported that the former Disney Channel star was in Los Angeles as recent as Monday night executive producing and reprising her breakout role as Ruby ‘Rue’ Bennett during a 12-hour shoot for Max’s eight-episode third season of Euphoria.
