Christopher Nolan Reveals Why Travis Scott Was Cast in 'The Odyssey'

Christopher Nolan has revealed that he cast rapper Travis Scott in his upcoming film 'The Odyssey' because of the connection between rap music and oral poetry. Scott plays a bard in the film, narrating the story of Odysseus in the trailer released in January. Nolan praised Scott's creative insights, having previously collaborated with him on the music for 'Tenet'. The film, featuring a star-studded cast including Matt Damon and Tom Holland, is set to premiere on July 17.

Key Points: Nolan on Travis Scott's 'The Odyssey' Rap Inspiration

  • Travis Scott cast as a bard in 'The Odyssey'
  • Nolan links rap to oral storytelling tradition
  • Scott previously collaborated with Nolan on 'Tenet'
  • Film stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway
  • Premieres July 17 with a star-studded cast
2 min read

Christopher Nolan says Travis Scott's rap background Inspired casting in 'The Odyssey'

Christopher Nolan explains casting Travis Scott in 'The Odyssey' due to rap's link to oral poetry. Film stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and more.

"I cast him because I wanted to nod towards the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap. - Christopher Nolan"

Washington DC, May 13

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan has revealed why he cast rapper Travis Scott in his upcoming film 'The Odyssey', saying the musician's background in rap aligned with the oral storytelling tradition of the ancient epic, according to E! News.

Speaking in an interview, Nolan said Scott was chosen to portray a bard in the film because of the connection between oral poetry and rap music.

"I cast him because I wanted to nod towards the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap," Nolan said, according to E! News.

The upcoming film, slated to premiere on July 17, features Scott in a brief but notable appearance in a trailer released in January. In the clip, Scott narrates a dramatic account of the Trojan War to Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, while portraying a bard recounting the story of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon.

"A war, a man, a trick--a trick to break the walls of Troy," Scott says in the trailer, as scenes of battle unfold onscreen. "It burning, screaming to the ground," according to E! News.

Though 'The Odyssey' marks Scott's first onscreen role in a Nolan film, the rapper had previously collaborated with the director on music for the 2020 film 'Tenet'.

At the time, Nolan praised Scott's creative contribution while speaking to GQ.

"His voice became the final piece of a yearlong puzzle," Nolan said. "His insights into the musical and narrative mechanism [composer] Ludwig Goransson and I were building were immediate, insightful, and profound."

Scott has also previously appeared in projects including Trolls: Holiday in Harmony and Aggro Dr1ft.

The film boasts a star-studded cast that includes Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o and Zendaya.

Nolan also acknowledged that some scholars of the ancient Greek text may have differing views on his adaptation, but expressed hope that audiences would embrace the film, according to E! News.

"Hopefully they'll enjoy the film, even if they don't agree with everything," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
I'm skeptical about this casting. While I appreciate the conceptual link between oral poetry and rap, Travis Scott isn't exactly known for storytelling in his music—it's more about vibes and production. Nolan could have picked an actual storyteller rapper like Kendrick Lamar or even an Indian artist who specializes in traditional oral narratives. Bollywood has done similar crossovers better, like in 'Mughal-e-Azam' where classical meets folk.
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Vikram M
Honestly, this feels like another case of Hollywood trying to be "relevant" by casting a rapper. Why not cast a classically trained actor who can actually deliver Homer's verses with proper gravitas? We have amazing theater artists in India who could do justice to this role. But I guess Nolan knows what he's doing—he made people care about a spinning top in Inception after all! 🎭
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Ananya R
As a classics student, I'm actually excited! The idea that Homer's epics were performed orally, with rhythm and music, is exactly what rap captures. In India, we have 'kathakars' who narrate epics with musical accompaniment—this is the same tradition. Nolan is being innovative here. Plus, Travis Scott's deep voice in the trailer gave me chills! Can't wait to see this on the big screen. 🇮🇳🎬
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Rohit P
Typical Nolan—always thinking outside the box. But is this just a gimmick? Travis Scott's acting in the trailer was... okay, nothing extraordinary. I'd rather see Matt Damon's Odysseus getting lost at sea than a rapper narrating the story. Still, the cast is insane—Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Pattinson? That's enough reason to watch. 😎
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