Tom Holland says Christopher Nolan gave him new acting confidence

Tom Holland has said that working with Christopher Nolan on The Odyssey gave him a new level of confidence as an actor. Speaking at a recent Q&A in London, Holland said the experience gave him both confidence and ambition to explore what else is out there for him. He described receiving Nolan's approval and a pat on the back as the perfect way to start his next chapter. The actor plays Telemachus, Odysseus' son, in the film adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek poem. In the story, Telemachus fights off suitors for his mother's attention and sets a plan in motion after a stranger tells him his father is alive.

Holland said he has been an admirer of Nolan for as long as he can remember and that having the opportunity to work with him and receive his approval was meaningful. He added that the sense of achievement he gained from the project gave him newfound confidence in what he thinks he can do going into his next project. The role marks a departure from Holland's more familiar work as Spider-Man in the MCU.

The Odyssey earned $1.8 billion worldwide, with IMAX screenings selling out for months. The production shot on location in remote caves in Greece and on the open sea, with Nolan reportedly using 400 miles of film. Matt Damon, who plays Odysseus, has described the experience as difficult but joyous, saying he did not sleep for days but felt he would never make a movie like it again.