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Nolan indicated that Pattinson channeled a distinct villainous performance focused on his manipulative dynamic with Telemachus.
"The thing he really focused on was this idea of his relationship to Telemachus.
He's continually saying to Telemachus, 'I'm going to be your stepdad, I'll be your daddy.' It was such a fascinatingly creepy and amusing basis for villainy," said Nolan.
The director praised Pattinson's approach to depicting the character's internal flaws realistically on screen.
"I just love how Rob based it on real world things, real truths about his character and who he is, and the cowardly nature of that.
I think cowardice is one of the hardest things for actors, particularly movie stars, to play," Nolan added.
Zendaya portrays the goddess Athena, who intervenes periodically to guide Odysseus through his trials.
"I was like 'how do I bring to life what is a, you know, a goddess'," said Zendaya.
She noted that the script emphasizes the human element and moral lessons behind the deity's appearances.
"But I think so much of it was in the story and the way he's telling it.
I think the humanity of it and bringing that more human element to this idea of a goddess but what they kind of represent to Odysseus in this story.
The lessons that they're teaching him and why she presents the way she does and in the moments that she does, I think, ultimately, are teaching him a lesson and guiding him through something that's very difficult," said Zendaya.
