Fifteen years after collaborating on Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending masterpiece “Inception,” Elliot Page is returning to work with the Oscar-winning director for his upcoming historical epic “The Odyssey.” Speaking at New York City Comic Con’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past” panel, Page opened up about the emotional significance of this reunion and how personal growth has transformed the experience.
A Joyful Return to Nolan’s World
“I was so excited to be thought of for [‘The Odyssey’] and to be asked to come back to work with him,” Page shared during the panel, which took place at this year’s NYCC. The actor’s enthusiasm was palpable as they reflected on their previous collaboration. “I loved working with him on ‘Inception’ and loved being a part of that movie. I was just completely jazzed and excited, and [I] basically went and met with Chris and talked about the part, then sat in a room and read the script. It was such a joy to come back.”
The journey from their first Nolan collaboration to this second opportunity represents more than just professional growth for Page. In “Inception,” Page played Ariadne, the architecture student recruited to design dream worlds—a role that became part of one of cinema’s most celebrated films. Now, with “The Odyssey” set to release in theaters in July 2026, Page is stepping back into the director’s ambitious cinematic universe with a newfound perspective.
The Power of Authentic Self
What makes this reunion particularly meaningful for Page is the personal evolution they’ve experienced in the intervening years. The actor spoke candidly about how being more comfortable with themselves has fundamentally changed their approach to filmmaking.
“To come back now, as you can imagine, being more comfortable in yourself makes these sorts of projects more enjoyable,” Page explained. “To get to have a Chris Nolan experience again now meant so much to me selfishly.”
This statement carries profound weight given Page’s public journey since “Inception.” The actor came out as transgender in December 2020, sharing their truth with the world and subsequently speaking openly about the challenges and liberation that came with living authentically. Page’s reflection on how this self-acceptance enhances their work offers insight into how personal truth intersects with artistic expression.
The fact that Nolan specifically reached out to Page for “The Odyssey” demonstrates the director’s recognition of the actor’s talents and their previous successful collaboration. For an actor who has navigated both personal transformation and professional evolution, being invited back into Nolan’s meticulously crafted cinematic worlds represents a full-circle moment of validation and opportunity.
The Nolan Experience
Working with Christopher Nolan has long been considered a career-defining experience for actors. Known for his practical effects, complex narratives, and commitment to theatrical exhibition, Nolan creates immersive experiences that challenge both performers and audiences. From “The Dark Knight” trilogy to “Interstellar,” “Dunkirk,” and his recent Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer,” the director has consistently pushed cinematic boundaries.
“The Odyssey” marks Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, promising to bring his signature style to one of literature’s most enduring stories. The tale of Odysseus’s ten-year journey home after the Trojan War has captivated audiences for millennia, and Nolan’s interpretation is already generating significant anticipation within the film community.
For Page, getting to experience a “Chris Nolan experience” again—with all the precision, ambition, and artistic vision that entails—clearly represents a treasured professional opportunity enhanced by personal growth.
X-Men Reflections and Future Possibilities
The “X-Men: Days of Future Past” panel, moderated by “Happy Sad Confused” podcast host Josh Horowitz, also featured James McAvoy, who portrayed Charles Xavier from 2011 to 2019. When discussion turned to the potential franchise reboot with fancasted actors including Colman Domingo and Bella Ramsey, McAvoy expressed genuine excitement about the property’s future.
“Look, I’m [just] excited to see what happens next,” McAvoy said. “I was a fan before I was an employee, and I’ll be a fan again. Colman Domingo sounds amazing.”
McAvoy’s perspective reflects a generous approach to franchise continuation—recognizing that beloved characters and stories can find new life with fresh interpretations and diverse casting. His enthusiasm for what comes next mirrors the broader conversation about how classic properties can evolve while honoring what made them meaningful to audiences in the first place.
Looking Ahead to July 2026
As “The Odyssey” prepares for its July 2026 theatrical release, Page’s comments at Comic Con have added another layer of anticipation to an already highly anticipated project. The combination of Nolan’s proven directorial vision, the timeless source material, and a cast that includes actors returning to work with the director speaks to the film’s potential impact.
For Page specifically, this represents more than just another high-profile project—it’s an opportunity to bring their full, authentic self to a collaboration with one of cinema’s most celebrated directors. The actor’s willingness to share how personal comfort and self-acceptance enhance their work offers a powerful reminder that artistic expression flourishes when performers can show up as their true selves.
The fifteen-year gap between “Inception” and “The Odyssey” has seen both Page and Nolan continue to grow in their respective crafts. Page has delivered acclaimed performances across film and television while becoming an important voice for transgender visibility and rights. Nolan has solidified his position as one of contemporary cinema’s most important auteurs, with “Oppenheimer” earning him his first Best Director Oscar.
Their reunion for “The Odyssey” brings together two artists at new peaks in their careers, both having traveled significant personal and professional journeys since their first collaboration. As Page noted, getting to have this experience “now” carries special meaning—a testament to how growth, authenticity, and artistic ambition can converge to create something potentially extraordinary.
When “The Odyssey” arrives in theaters in July 2026, audiences will witness not just Nolan’s interpretation of a classical epic, but also the fruits of collaborations enriched by time, experience, and the courage to live authentically. For Elliot Page, it’s a homecoming to a director’s world they love, undertaken with newfound self-knowledge and joy.
