Nolan's Near Miss: Director Reveals He Was Originally Hired to Make Brad Pitt's 'Troy' Before Batman Became His Breakthrough

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Christopher Nolan's Long-Gestating Epic 'The Odyssey' Has Roots in a Project from Over Two Decades Ago. In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, the acclaimed director revealed that he was initially approached to direct the 2004 blockbuster 'Troy', starring Brad Pitt, before eventually landing the role of directing the Batman trilogy. Nolan recalled that Warner Bros. brought him on board for 'Troy' after Wolfgang Petersen briefly stepped aside from the project. However, the studio later pulled the film back, and Nolan was shifted to direct 'Batman Begins', which he initially considered a consolation prize. Although Nolan's 'Troy' never came to fruition, the film went on to earn nearly $500 million worldwide and starred an A-list ensemble cast, including Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, and Diane Kruger. In contrast, 'Batman Begins' marked a turning point in Nolan's career, launching a successful trilogy that redefined the superhero genre. Fast forward to 2026, Nolan is set to release 'The Odyssey', a cinematic epic featuring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and an ensemble cast. According to Nolan, he was drawn to the project because he wanted to create a mythological epic that would rival the scale and weight of a big-budget Hollywood production. The release date for 'The Odyssey' is set for July 17, 2026. Key Takeaways: - Christopher Nolan was initially hired to direct 'Troy' but lost the project to Wolfgang Petersen. - Nolan was then offered the role of directing 'Batman Begins', which he initially considered a consolation prize. - 'The Odyssey' has been in the works for over two decades and is set to release in 2026. - Nolan is drawn to the project because he wants to create a mythological epic with IMAX-level weight and scale.