Christopher Nolan has responded to criticism of The Odyssey's use of modern language. The new movie is based on Homer's classic Ancient Greek story, though there's been some backlash over the actors' use of American accents in the film.
Addressing the controversy, the director said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that he wanted to focus on "language that has emotional not intellectual meaning to people".
"I was maybe being naïve, it might bite me on the ass, but I wanted an earthy narrative," he added. "To me it was a no-brainer."
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He also explained that he wanted to cast well-known actors to help modern audiences feel familiar with the tale's classic characters.
"These are mythological figures, iconic in some ways," he added. "I wanted to cast it big, get the finest bunch of actors."
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Praising Odysseus actor Matt Damon, he said: "I’d worked with Matt twice before and he has such a great connection to the audience, he draws them in. For this very complex character, you need an actor who disappears into parts, who is very open to the audience.
"You want the audience to go with him through his mistakes — and he makes a lot of mistakes. Matt was everyman for The Martian, a kind of superhero for the Jason Bourne films, and Odysseus is part everyman, part superhero."
Alongside Damon, the cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal.
While official reviews aren't out yet, early reactions to The Odyssey have been rave, with critics who have seen it calling it "must-see" and an "absolute triumph".
Digital Spy's Ian Sandwell called it "staggering", adding: "Packed with intense and spectacular set pieces, often backed by a soul-rattling score, it builds to a final act that's as good as anything Nolan's done. Purists might baulk at the adaptation changes, but as an experience, nobody is doing it like Nolan."
The Odyssey is released in cinemas on 17 July.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
