Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" is set to return to IMAX theaters this Friday, October 9, replacing "Digger," the latest film starring Tom Cruise. "Digger" had a reportedly weak global opening weekend, grossing approximately $20 million against a $160 million production budget.
In contrast, "The Odyssey" has achieved significant box office success, accumulating $1.76 billion worldwide. "Digger," which utilized VistaVision and was initially shown on IMAX screens starting October 2, will now be displaced.
True IMAX experiences, requiring specialized 15-perf/70mm film projectors, are available in only 41 theaters globally. These venues will transition back to "The Odyssey," as it has proven to be a more lucrative draw. "Digger" has a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and its recent advertising campaign, which addressed negative reviews, did not appear to improve its box office performance.
Looking ahead, "Street Fighter" is scheduled for an IMAX release on October 16, followed by "Godzilla Minus Zero" on November 3. This creates a limited window for audiences to experience "The Odyssey" in its intended format.
While "The Odyssey" has been widely praised, it has not met universal acclaim. Emily Wilson, whose translation of Homer's epic poem inspired Nolan's film, has expressed strong disapproval, reportedly leading her to begin a new translation of "The Iliad."
"The Odyssey" stands as the year's second-highest-grossing film, trailing only "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," which has surpassed $2 billion at the box office. "The Odyssey" has also become Christopher Nolan's highest-grossing film of all time.