Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron’s is in the ever-expanding cast forChristopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptationofThe Odyssey, and now she addresses if she is playing a highly speculated role. On the heels of his acclaimed historical dramaOppenheimer, Nolan will dip into antiquity to adapt Homer’s epic Greek poem.
Most of the A-listers who have been cast inThe Odysseyremain a mystery, although some have been confirmed. In a red carpet interview withVariety,when asked how she is preparing to play the goddess of sorcery, Circe, Theron gives a coy response, and does not confirm that she has been cast in this role.Check out Theron’s comments below:
I don’t know. I’m going to talk to Chris [Nolan] about it. We’ll see where it goes. It’s super intimidating. I’ll be the last one to show up, so I’ll be like the new kid on the block.
Circe plays one of the primary antagonists in the context ofThe Odyssey, as a powerful sorceress who trapsthe hero Odysseus (Matt Damon)and his men on her island and transforms his crew into animals. There has been no formal announcement of the casting from Nolan or Universal.
What Charlize Theron’s Comments Mean For The Odyssey
Theron May Be Playing One Of The Epic Poem’s Most Powerful Characters
Circe is one of the most powerful characters in Homer’s epic poem, and in the narrative she waylays Odysseus on his journey home for more than a year. In addition to her transforming half of his men into animals with drugged wine and cheese,Odysseus is seduced by Circe, and in the expanded mythology fathers a son with her named Telegonus.
After staying on Circe’s island for a year, Odysseus and his men (who have been transformed back into humans) leave, and are advised/aided on the remainder of their journey by Circe.She is a complicated character in the context of Homer’sOdyssey, and even more so given that her son with Odysseus eventually goes on to accidentally kill his father.
So far, the only confirmed roles in Nolan’sThe Odysseyare Theron as Circe, Matt Damon as Odysseus, and Tom Holland as Odysseus' son, Telemachus.
The fact that an actress of Theron’s caliber may be cast as Circe could yield some clues about what the plot of Nolan’sThe Odysseywill include. The original epic poem features 24 total “books”, andto adapt the entire work accurately would require a multi-season TV show, not a single movie (even if it’s three hours long).
It seems like Odysseus' stop at Aeaea (Circe’s island) will be a major arc in the movie, which could not possibly include all the detours on Odysseus' 20-year journey home.Circe could wind up being the closest thing to a legitimate villain that the movie hasgiven her ongoing involvement with his journey, even if that isn’t exactly what her role is in the original poem.
Our Take On Charlize Theron Possibly Playing Circe In The Odyssey
She’s The Perfect Actress To Portray Circe’s Power And Danger
Charlize Theron is a perfect choice to play Circe given not only her skills and experience in drama, but specifically in the context of magic, power, and evil.Theron has played some legitimately scary villains in her career, perhaps most famously the serial killer Aileen Wuronos inMonster, which earned her an Oscar, and as the seductive villainess Cipher in theFast and Furiousfranchise.
Charlize Theron has experience with all the most essential aspects of Circe’s character as one of the key obstacles on Odysseus' long journey home.
She’s even brought an evil sorceress to life on the big screen before, as Queen Ravenna in the dark action fantasiesSnow White and the HuntsmanandThe Huntsman: Winter’s War. Theron has the gravitas to convincingly play a dark, magical villain, which will be the role for Circe when Odysseus first encounters her at the very least.
She also has experience as a character who uses seduction and manipulation to achieve her goals, which is perfect for Circe in the context ofThe Odyssey.She could certainly borrow elements of her role as Lorraine Broughton inAtomic Blondeto craft the character of Circe, and make her a truly memorable part of the movie whether she’s technically a villain or not.
Charlize Theron is frankly the ideal choice for the character of Circeout of all known cast members in Christopher Nolan’sThe Odyssey. She has experience with all the most essential aspects of Circe’s character as one of the key obstacles on Odysseus' long journey home.
