Audible has announced that Andy Serkis will narrate Odysseus Rising, a science fiction reimagining of Homer's The Odyssey written by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The project, which shifts the ancient epic into a futuristic setting involving time travel, is slated for release on February 25.
Riding the $1.725 billion wave of Christopher Nolan's film
The announcement arrives as the entertainment industry continues to react to the massive success of Christopher Nolan's cinematic interpretation of the myth. According to Deadline, Nolan's The Odyssey has become a global phenomenon, grossing $1.725 billion at the worldwide box office and maintaining a stellar 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
This massive cultural footprint provides a fertile ground for Audible to launch its own specialized audio experience. The film, which was released on July 17, featured a high-profile ensemble cast, including:
- Tom Holland
- Zendaya
- Charlize Theron
- Robert Pattinson
- Anne Hathaway
- Jon Bernthal
Tchaikovsky’s vision of a ruined Ilium and the ship Ithaca
Adrian Tchaikovsky is leveraging his experience with speculative fiction to transform the ancient journey into a voyage through time and space. The writer, best known for his acclaimed work on Children of Time, is reimagining the ruined world of Ilium as a landscape of ashes and devastation.
A journey through time rather than space
In this version,the protagonist's struggle is not just against sea monsters, but against the oligarchs and parasites besieging the ship Ithaca.. Tchaikovsky has noted that his goal is to honor the spirit of the original 8th-century BCE epic while exploring how the concepts of gods and monsters translate into a high-concept science fiction tradition. As reported by Deadline, the story suggests that if Odysseus cannot reach his people, he must find a way to bring the Ithaca to them through the realms of time.
Andy Serkis to voice both Homer and Tchaikovsky's future gods
Andy Serkis will anchor the production by providing the voice for both the legendary Homer and the various creations within Tchaikovsky's futuristic vision. Serkis has praised the script as a "staggering act of ingenuity," suggesting that the leap from the ancient world to the distant future provides the story with renewed meaning.
The actor's involvement is expected to elevate the project from a standard audiobook to a cinematic audio experience. Serkis expressed particular excitement about working with Audible's specialized production tools to create what he promises will be a "blockbuster treat" for listeners.
What will Audible's 'cutting-edge production' actually sound like?
Despite the high-profile names attached, the project still holds several mysteries for fans of the myth. It remains to be seen how Tchaikovsky will balance the "great journey" of the original text with the new mechanics of time travel introduced in this adaptation. Furthermore,while the release is set for February 25, Audible has not yet released specific details regarding the length of the series or the exact nature of the "cutting-edge" audio technology being utilized in the recording process.
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