Christopher Nolan to skip influencer screening for 'The Odyssey'?
Los Angeles, June 27
Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan's forthcoming film The Odyssey is expected to skip influencer screenings next month, ahead of the movie being released on July 17 in the UK and US.
The epic fantasy action movie features Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. The global premiere will take place in London on July 6.
But, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal is swerving word-of-mouth screenings, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
Before critics are invited to advanced screenings, studios - on a case-by-case basis - give influencers the chance to see huge releases in exchange for their mini, social media reviews, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
The upcoming blockbuster isn't expected to feature in such screenings.
Damon recently opened up about shooting the movie alongside Theron in difficult conditions on a windy beach in Morocco.
He praised the "seriously tough" actress' determination to keep going, despite being in "massive discomfort".
He told ELLE magazine: "She had to do these scenes that were already challenging with a 30-to-40-mile-an-hour wind ripping sand into her eyes. She's just a boss, though. The grips were trying to hold screens over, anything that we could do so that we could shoot. But even with all that stuff, she was in massive discomfort, and you wouldn't know it from seeing the movie.
"I've known her for so long, and she is one of those people who won't complain, ever. And so, when she finally had to say: 'I literally - I'm so sorry, I can't keep my eyes open,' she was angry.
"I think that was probably tougher on her than anything. And I'm like: 'Charlize, no human being could keep their eyes open, this is ridiculous. Why didn't you say something earlier?' That's her. She is seriously tough."
Damon also admitted he is convinced Theron "won the genetic lottery", because she's barely aged over the last few decades.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally someone who understands that cinema is meant for critics and audiences, not influencers who just want free content for their Instagram reels. Nolan is a purist. But I'm a bit disappointed - I was hoping they'd do a special IMAX screening in Mumbai like they did for Interstellar. Still, July 17 can't come soon enough! The cast is insane - Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya... this is going to be epic in true Nolan style. 🇮🇳
I understand the decision, but it's also important to let them have screenings for genuine fans who can spread word-of-mouth. That's how films become cultural events in India too. For a movie this big, I'm sure it'll do well regardless, but a little grassroots promotion never hurts. Nolan's movies are always discussed for years - just look at how people still debate the ending of Inception! The Morocco shooting story is fascinating. Sandstorms and Hollywood stars - quite a contrast to our usual shooting conditions in Bollywood.
As someone who works in film marketing here in the UK, I think this is a risky move. Influencer screenings have become standard for big releases - they generate huge buzz on TikTok and Instagram. Nolan's above that, which is respectable, but the younger demographic that drives opening weekend numbers? They live on social media. Universal must have crunched the numbers, but I hope Nolan's ego doesn't cost them at the box office. Still, the cast is stellar, and that Morocco anecdote shows the level of dedication involved. Can't wait to see it in IMAX here in London.
This is the kind of cinema we need more of - no shortcuts, no gimmicks, just pure filmmaking. The fact that Matt Damon praised Charlize Theron's endurance says a lot about the conditions they went through. reminds me of how our own actors in India do such challenging shoots for period films. But honestly, skipping influencer screenings? In an era where every
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