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

Zendaya has shared a lighthearted confession about how she got an early glimpse into Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film The Odyssey. The actress admitted she “cheated a little” before officially landing the role because her husband, Tom Holland, had already received the script after being cast in the epic movie.

Speaking about the experience, Zendaya revealed that Holland had brought the script home after meeting with Nolan. Curious about the project, she took the opportunity to read it before she knew she would become part of the cast. Looking back, she jokingly described it as “cheating a little,” adding that it only made her more excited about the ambitious production.  

The surprise did not end there. Holland later returned from another meeting with Nolan and encouraged Zendaya to read the script again—but this time with a different perspective. Instead of simply enjoying the story, he asked her to imagine herself as Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. That was the moment she realized Nolan wanted her to join the cast, a revelation she described as both shocking and unforgettable.  

For Zendaya, working with Christopher Nolan had been a long-time dream. She has often praised the Oscar-winning filmmaker, even calling Interstellar one of her favorite films. Landing a role in The Odyssey therefore became a career milestone, and she admitted she was overwhelmed with happiness after learning she would portray Athena.  

The actress also shared that reading the script before her casting gave her an unfair advantage in understanding the story and its characters. However, she emphasized that the experience was less about gaining an edge and more about celebrating Holland’s achievement before she knew she would be joining him on the project.

Interestingly, despite starring in the same film, Zendaya and Holland do not share scenes together. Holland plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, while Zendaya takes on the role of Athena, who serves as a powerful guide throughout the legendary Greek tale.  

Holland has also spoken warmly about the experience, revealing that being the one to tell Zendaya she had been cast was one of the most meaningful moments of the production. During filming, he even stayed nearby to support her while she shot one of her biggest scenes, telling her, “I’m here if you need me.”  

Set for release on July 17, The Odyssey is one of the year’s most anticipated films, featuring a star-studded cast led by Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, and Zendaya. As excitement continues to build, the couple’s behind-the-scenes story has become one of the film’s most heartwarming highlights.