Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' uses American accents, breaking Hollywood's ancient-world convention

Christopher Nolan's upcoming film 'Odyssey' has sparked debate for having all characters speak with American accents, a departure from the Hollywood tradition of using British English for ancient settings. The second official trailer, released Tuesday, features actors like Matt Damon (Odysseus), Anne Hathaway (Penelope), Tom Holland (Telemachus), and Robert Pattinson (Antinous) all speaking American English. Pattinson's character uses the word 'daddy' and Damon shouts 'Let's go!', which some viewers find too modern and colloquial for a Greek epic. Hollywood has long used British English as a default for historical and fantasy films, from 'The Ten Commandments' to 'Gladiator' to 'Game of Thrones', because it is perceived as more sophisticated, elegant, and timeless. This convention dates back to the 'transatlantic' accent of early sound films, blending Received Pronunciation with American English. Nolan, who is British, has not commented on his choice, but Popverse calls it 'another bold choice in a film that will surely be full of them.' The film is set for release on July 16.