Tom Holland reflects on playing Telemachus in ‘The Odyssey’

Actor Tom Holland has described landing a role in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" as a defining moment in his career, saying the epic marks the beginning of "a new chapter" in his life.

The British star, widely recognised for portraying Spider-Man, plays Telemachus, the son of the legendary Greek hero Odysseus, in Nolan's adaptation of Homer's classic epic.

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Speaking about the project, Holland called the opportunity "a real pinch-me moment" and said portraying the young Telemachus felt particularly meaningful at this stage of his career.

"The thing that I love the most is that it feels a little bit like the last chance for me to play a boy," he said.

In the film, Telemachus grows up without his father, who spends years fighting in the Trojan War before embarking on a long journey home. As he searches for Odysseus, the young prince also struggles to protect his mother, Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, from the suitors who have occupied their palace.

Holland's wife, actor Zendaya, also joins the cast as the goddess Athena. Although the couple do not share any scenes, Holland revealed that they read the screenplay together before filming began.

He also shared that director Christopher Nolan personally informed him of his plan to cast Zendaya.

"He asked me if I would be OK with him asking Zee to play Athena. I went home and was able to break the news to her. It was a very special moment," Holland said.

Recalling her reaction, the actor said Zendaya smiled before the couple celebrated together.

"The little corners of her mouth went up. She had this little smile and then we both started jumping around the kitchen," he said.

The film is led by Matt Damon, who portrays Odysseus. Damon revealed that he accepted Nolan's offer almost immediately, even before hearing the details of the project.

"When Chris called, he said, 'I'd like to offer you the lead role.' I said yes straight away. Then he asked if I wanted to know what the film was. He simply said, 'The Odyssey,'" Damon recalled.

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Featuring an ensemble cast, "The Odyssey" is one of Nolan's most ambitious productions to date, bringing Homer's ancient tale of war, survival and homecoming to the big screen.