Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Becomes the First Full-Length IMAX Feature

Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic “The Odyssey” is the first feature-length movie ever filmed exclusively on 70 mm IMAX stock. The production was assembled at the world’s last film laboratory capable of handling the format, where Nolan personally demonstrated the analog process of cutting and gluing individual frames. The decision required a scale and logistical effort unprecedented in Nolan’s career.

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Nolan’s attachment to IMAX dates to age 16, when a museum documentary displayed the format on a five-story screen and left him “spellbound.” Despite the medium’s reputation for high cost and cumbersome handling, he has repeatedly argued that the 70 mm IMAX frame delivers image quality up to three times that of contemporary digital capture. The rarity of such productions stems from the industry’s shift toward faster, cheaper digital workflows.

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• Christopher Nolan – writer-director, champion of large-format filmmaking.

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• Matt Damon – portrays Odysseus, the central figure navigating storm-tossed seas.

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• Scott Pelley – “60 Minutes” correspondent who conducted the televised interview.

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• The last IMAX film lab – the sole facility still equipped to process full-length 70 mm IMAX reels.

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• Resolution: 70 mm IMAX frames provide up to three-fold higher image fidelity than standard digital sensors.

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• Production cost: The format is markedly more expensive than digital, requiring specialized cameras, film stock, and processing.

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• Workflow: Analog editing—physically cutting and splicing frames—contrasts sharply with the rapid, software-driven processes dominant in modern post-production.

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Nolan emphasized that the project “became about scale” and that it “needed to be the biggest film that we had done,” reflecting the story’s epic scope. Damon described the shoot as “the hardest movie I’ve ever done by far,” underscoring the physical and artistic demands. In the broadcast, Pelley’s narration highlighted the rarity of the craft, noting that “IMAX is expensive and cumbersome” while also acknowledging its superior image quality.

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The same commentary that praised IMAX’s resolution also identified a systemic industry trend: digital photography and editing are “faster and cheaper, so almost no one does this anymore.” This observation frames Nolan’s choice as a deliberate departure from prevailing production economics.

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If “The Odyssey” succeeds commercially and critically, it could inspire a modest resurgence of large-format analog filmmaking, offering a tangible alternative to purely digital pipelines. Conversely, the high costs may reaffirm the industry’s preference for digital efficiency, reinforcing the niche status of full-IMAX productions.

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• “In taking on ‘The Odyssey,’ it does become about scale. It needed to be the biggest film that we had done. It needed to be challenging to all of us, because that’s the nature of the story.” — Christopher Nolan, Director

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• “It was the hardest movie I’ve ever done by far. Not even close.” — Matt Damon, Lead Actor

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• “Looks like you nearly drowned Matt Damon,” — Scott Pelley, Correspondent (on-air comment)

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• “Why keep this ancient art alive? Well, the 70mm Imax frame has resolution or image quality up to three times higher than digital,” — Scott Pelley, Voice-over narration

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Nolan’s interview will air on Sunday at 7 p.m. on CBS and will be available for streaming on Paramount+ shortly thereafter, providing a broader audience with insight into the film’s unprecedented production approach.

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