Full Breakdown
Tom Holland Says He Can “Relax” After Learning Robert Pattinson Will Play Antinous in Nolan’s *The Odyssey*
7/19/2026, 4:21:14 AM
Casting Announcement and Holland’s Reaction
During Entertainment Weekly’s “Around the Table” roundtable, Tom Holland disclosed his immediate response to the news that Robert Pattinson, known for portraying Batman, had been cast as Antinous—the leading suitor—in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic, *The Odyssey*. Holland explained that the casting news allowed him to “relax” and focus on his own role as Telemachus, the son of Damon M. Damon’s Odysseus.
Background & Context
*The Odyssey* reunites Holland and Pattinson after co-starring in three prior films: *The Lost City of Z* (2016), *The Devil All the Time* (2020), and a third unspecified project. Holland will portray Telemachus, while Pattinson assumes the antagonistic suitor role opposite Anne Hathaway’s Penelope. The ensemble also includes John Leguizamo, Zendaya, Benny Safdie, and Charlize Theron. Holland highlighted the narrative stakes, noting that their characters’ friction is central to Telemachus’s journey.
Official Statements & Responses
Holland characterized his collaboration with Pattinson as both “exciting” and “daunting,” emphasizing the pressure of establishing the film’s thematic stakes early on. He praised Pattinson’s ability to elevate scenes, stating that working with him makes Holland “a better actor.” Holland also expressed nervousness about delivering an authentic performance that would justify his character’s desperate quest, while acknowledging that Pattinson’s casting eased his own anxieties.
Verbatim Quotes
- “could relax” — Tom Holland, Actor
- “Rob and I have made three movies together now, all very different,” — Tom Holland, Actor
- “I’ve loved every minute of working with Rob, and I’ve always felt like I’ve left the set a better actor because he raises the stakes of every scene.” — Tom Holland, Actor
- “I’ve loved every minute of working with Rob, and I’ve always felt like I’ve left the set a better actor because he raises the stakes of every scene. What was really exciting for me, and also really daunting, was that we get to establish the stakes of the movie for Matt’s [Damon] journey right at the beginning. I felt the weight of that pressure.” — Tom Holland, Actor
- “I knew when I found out that you were playing Antinous that I could relax because you’re so good at being a dickhead.” — Tom Holland, Actor
