Apart from the anticipation ahead of the release of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey on 17 July 2026, one question about the movie surprisingly continues to shadow the excitement of the star-studded film: is Elliot Page playing Achilles?
The short answer is no. At least not officially.
While Page has been confirmed as part of the star-studded cast, neither Universal Pictures nor Nolan himself has revealed which character the actor will portray. Despite that, speculation that Page could be playing Achilles has spread widely online, fuelled by recent promotional material and fan theories.
The rumour gained momentum after a first-look image from the film showed Page appearing battle-worn and covered in dust and grime. The rugged appearance immediately led some viewers to connect the actor with one of Greek mythology's most famous warriors.
However, there is currently no official confirmation that Achilles is the role in question.
Why Fans Believe Page Could Be Achilles
Part of the reason the theory has persisted is because several other major cast members have already had their roles announced.
Matt Damon is confirmed as Odysseus, the King of Ithaca whose long journey home forms the heart of the story. Tom Holland will portray Telemachus, Odysseus' son, while Lupita Nyong'o has been confirmed as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra.
Page's character, meanwhile, remains one of the few significant mysteries surrounding the production.
As fans continue dissecting trailers, promotional images and cast announcements, Achilles has emerged as one of the most commonly suggested possibilities. Since he is one of the most recognisable figures connected to the Trojan War, many viewers naturally expect him to appear in Nolan's adaptation in some form.
Yet there is an important detail often overlooked in the speculation.
Achilles Is Already Dead In The Odyssey
Although Achilles is one of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, he is not alive during the main events of The Odyssey.
The character's most famous exploits take place in Homer's The Iliad, which focuses on the Trojan War. By the time the events of The Odyssey begin, the war has ended and Achilles has already been killed.
In Homer's original poem, Odysseus later encounters Achilles during his journey to the Underworld. Rather than meeting the legendary warrior in battle, he speaks with Achilles' spirit among the dead.
This means that if Nolan remains relatively faithful to the source material, Achilles would likely appear only briefly, perhaps in an Underworld sequence, flashback, dream or vision.
Of course, Nolan is known for reinterpreting classic stories, and it remains possible that he could expand Achilles' presence through additional Trojan War scenes. However, no such creative changes have been announced.
The speculation has attracted even more attention because Achilles was famously portrayed by Brad Pitt in the 2004 film Troy, leading some fans to compare Page's rumoured casting to one of the most recognisable depictions of the Greek hero in modern cinema.
However, not everyone is convinced that Achilles is the role. Some fans believe Page may instead be playing Elpenor, one of Odysseus' crew members who dies before the hero's journey to the Underworld. Because Elpenor is directly tied to The Odyssey's central storyline, some mythology enthusiasts view him as a more likely candidate than Achilles, whose appearance in the epic is limited to a brief encounter as a spirit of the dead.
What The First-Look Image Actually Tells Us
The recently released image of Page certainly resembles what many audiences imagine a Greek warrior might look like. Dirt-streaked armour, a weathered appearance and a battlefield setting all seem consistent with Achilles.
Yet those visual clues are far from definitive.
Ancient Greek mythology is filled with soldiers, kings, heroes and warriors whose appearances could easily fit the same description. The image confirms only that Page appears to be portraying a character involved in the wider conflict surrounding the Trojan War.
It does not reveal the character's identity.
Why The Casting Rumour Has Drawn Attention
The Achilles speculation has become part of a much broader discussion surrounding The Odyssey.
Nolan's adaptation has generated debate over several casting choices, particularly because the film is based on one of the most famous works of ancient Greek literature. Discussions about representation, historical authenticity and creative interpretation have dominated social media conversations since the cast was announced.
As one of mythology's most iconic heroes, Achilles has naturally become a focal point within those debates. Consequently, any rumour about who might portray him attracts significant attention.
So, Is Elliot Page Playing Achilles?
For now, the answer remains unchanged.
Elliot Page is officially part of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, but Universal has not disclosed the character's identity. While rumours continue to link Page to Achilles, there is currently no evidence confirming the casting.
The theory remains plausible, especially since Achilles does appear in Homer's The Odyssey despite already being dead during the story's main events. Nevertheless, until Universal makes an official announcement, the claim remains speculation rather than fact.
With the film's release date approaching, audiences may not have to wait much longer to discover the truth.
