Entertainment

Zendaya admits she 'cheated' before landing role in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'

Zendaya reveals how Tom Holland gave her an unfair advantage

Published July 15, 2026
Zendaya admits she cheated before landing role in Christopher Nolans The Odyssey
Zendaya admits she 'cheated' before landing role in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'

Zendaya was over the moon when she got to know that she had been cast as the Greek goddess Athena in Sir Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.

But before her starring in the Greek epic film, the Euphoria actress revealed that she “kind of cheated a little bit” as she already had the script of her husband, Tom Holland, who was already on board as Odysseus’ son Telemachus.

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Zendaya told E News at the film's New York premiere on July 14, “Tom had the script at home before I got the call.

“So, I did a little peeky peek.”

After giving The Odyssey script, which is a reimagining of Homer’s ancient Greek poem, a good read, Zendaya found it “extraordinary” and “so moving.”

She gushed, “You would think a piece of literature like this is almost impossible to adapt but if there's anyone who can do it, it's Mr. Nolan.”

And that’s how she got the insights before she was offered the role of Athena.

The Odyssey also stars Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Matt Damon as Odysseus, Charlize Theron as Calypso, Robert Pattinson as Antinous and Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy.

The film is all set to hit theaters across the USA and the UK on July 17.


Maliha Javed
Maliha Javed is an entertainment journalist with one year of experience, covering celebrity controversies, viral moments, and trending stories. She navigates the fast-paced digital landscape, breaking down complex narratives into clear, engaging reports that keep readers informed and connected to the latest entertainment buzz.