THE ODYSSEY BECOMES NOLAN'S HIGHEST-GROSSING FILM

Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's Odyssey has surpassed US$1.1bn at the global box office, becoming the highest-grossing film of his career. The film, released on 17 July, exceeded the previous record holder, The Dark Knight Rises, which earned US$1.085bn in 2012. Nolan wrote, directed and produced the three-hour epic alongside his wife, Emma Thomas, with a reported production budget of US$250m.

The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the ancient Greek king, alongside Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson. The cast also includes Zendaya, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong'o. According to Universal Pictures, The Odyssey debuted at number one globally and held the top position for two consecutive weekends. The film has become the highest-grossing title in the careers of Damon, Hathaway and Pattinson. Nolan's body of work has now grossed more than US$7bn worldwide, with his previous notable films including The Dark Knight (US$1.005bn), Tenet, Dunkirk and Interstellar.

Universal Pictures stated that The Odyssey is one of three Universal films to have grossed US$1bn globally in the current year, alongside The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the Michael Jackson biopic Michael. Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution at Universal Pictures, said Nolan has "earned audiences' trust by consistently delivering must-see theatrical events". Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, president of distribution at Universal Pictures International, described the film as "a global epic that has resonated with audiences everywhere with its massive scope and uncompromising vision".