(Above) Cheered by crowds gathered on the east end of Navy Pier, the crew of the Viking ship Draken Harald Harfagre scrambles to lower its 853 square foot sail and arrive at Navy Pier powered by oars and muscle during the opening of the Tall Ships Festival on July 27, 2016. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

By Steven Dahlman

20-Feb-25 – The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) is reporting that the Draken Harald Hårfagre, the largest Viking ship built in modern times, which traveled to Chicago from Norway in 2016, will appear in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film based on the ancient Greek epic poem, Odyssey.

With an estimated budget of $250 million, The Odyssey, a Universal Pictures film, will include IMAX technology.

Attributed to Homer, Odyssey is one of the oldest works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. It follows the Greek hero Odysseus on his perilous ten-year journey from Troy to Ithaca following the ten-year Trojan War.

NRK says the Draken is currently in Greece, where filming is taking place, and will be there for six months. (Left) The Draken Harald Harfagre on Lake Michigan about eight miles out from Navy Pier on July 27, 2016.

The owner of the Draken, Sigurd Aase, is vague about exactly what role the ship will have in the film, but says, as paraphrased by NRK, “the project is a great opportunity for Draken to continue its exploration legacy.”

The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus. The cast also includes Jon Bernthal, Mia Goth, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, John Leguizamo, Lupita Nyongo, Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Charlize Theron, and Zendaya.

The release date is July 17, 2026. Nolan’s previous film was Oscar winner Oppenheimer.