John Leguizamo has revealed the extreme challenges he faced while filming The Odyssey, including spending up to 14 hours a day unable to see properly because of the contact lenses required for his role.
The actor, who plays Eumaeus, the loyal friend and servant of Odysseus (Matt Damon) in Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation, opened up about the experience during an interview with Entertainment Tonight.
Leguizamo plays a blind character in the film and explained that the special contact lenses used for the role left him unable to see clearly for much of the day.
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"Not being able to see for 12 to 14 hours a day, like I couldn’t see my phone, I couldn’t read, I couldn’t call," he said.
"My other eye wasn’t clear either. I could not see. I had to be taken to the bathroom, I had to be brought back. I had to be taken to eat."
The actor admitted the experience was mentally challenging.
"When I was alone I just had to be inside my head because that’s all I had," he added.
"Too much time with my own thoughts. It’s a dangerous thing."
Based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey follows Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War, facing mythical creatures and dangerous obstacles along the way.
The film was released in cinemas on 17 July and has already become the biggest opening weekend of Christopher Nolan’s career.
Matt Damon, Christopher Nolan and Anne Hathaway attend premiere of 'The in New York, July 2026. Lev Radin, Shutterstock
The epic adventure earned an estimated $264.1 million worldwide, surpassing the previous record held by The Dark Knight Rises, which opened with $249 million globally.
The opening weekend figures for Nolan’s biggest films are:
The success makes The Odyssey Nolan’s biggest global opening outside of his Batman films.
It has also become the biggest opening for a live-action film in 2026 so far, and the third-biggest opening for any film this year, behind Toy Story 5 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
In North America, the film earned $124.5 million, giving it the biggest live-action debut of the year so far.
John Leguizamo. Lev Radin, Shutterstock
Away from the physical challenges of filming, Leguizamo also praised working with Nolan, particularly his approach to directing.
Speaking at the film’s New York premiere, he recalled a moment on set when Nolan helped him during a difficult shoot in freezing conditions.
"I was having a fever dream as my character, Eumaeus, and losing it because I’m kind of method, and [Nolan] saw that I was freezing because we’re dressed in mini skirts and it was freezing in February," he told PEOPLE.
"He took off his coat and put it on me."
Leguizamo joked that Matt Damon was surprised by the gesture.
"Matt Damon goes, ‘I’ve been working for six months in the oceans, in Iceland, and you put the coat on him?,’" he said.
"Yeah, Matt’s the funniest."
Christopher Nolan. Denis Makarenko, Shutterstock
The actor also praised Nolan’s directing style, explaining that the filmmaker physically stands behind the camera rather than watching from a distance.
"I think it’s the most personal and safe place to have a director because you’re eye to eye and then you feel safe, you feel seen, you feel more capable of being vulnerable," Leguizamo said.
"It’s just an incredible place for a director to be instead of in the video village hundreds of feet away."
Zendaya attends 'The Odyssey' NY Premiere, July 2026. Lev Radin, Shutterstock.
The Odyssey features an all-star cast including Matt Damon, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, Lupita Nyong’o, Mia Goth, Himesh Patel and Jon Bernthal.
