Travis Scott has a small but memorable role in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. He plays Phemius, a bard: an ancient Greek storyteller whose opening monologue sets the stage for the entire film. If you caught the movie and thought, "wait, was that Travis Scott?" — yes, it was. It's his first acting role in a movie. Here's the character, how Nolan cast him, and what Travis is doing next.
Who Does Travis Scott Play in The Odyssey?
Travis Scott plays Phemius, one of the bards in the story. In the film, Phemius sings about Odysseus's victories in the Trojan War. His opening lines kick off the whole movie.
The casting makes sense once you know what a bard actually was. In ancient Greece, bards were the storytellers of their time. They performed epic tales out loud, often with rhythm and music, for a crowd. That's not too different from what a rapper does today. Nolan saw the parallel and cast accordingly.
Watch Travis Scott discuss the Odyssey on Jimmy Fallon Show
Travis Scott on Jimmy Fallon Show
How Christopher Nolan Cast Travis Scott
Travis already had Nolan's number saved in his phone as "Chris," from years back when he made music for Nolan's 2020 film Tenet. So when his phone rang and "Chris" popped up, he didn't think much of it. He figured it was just Nolan checking in, maybe inviting him to a show.
He picked up, and Nolan asked if he'd be interested in acting in a movie. Travis was confused. He thought maybe Nolan meant it for someone else, or forgot who he was talking to. He even said something like, "Wait, you know I make music, right?" Nolan laid out his whole reasoning for wanting Travis specifically, and that's how a rapper ended up in a Christopher Nolan movie.
Nolan's thinking: a bard and a rapper are both oral storytellers who perform for a crowd. Travis Scott, a global icon in rap, was a natural fit to bring Phemius to life on screen.
The Odyssey at $1.78 Billion: Nolan's Biggest Film
Travis Scott has spent years topping charts and breaking streaming records as one of the biggest names in hip-hop. Now he's got a role in the biggest film of Christopher Nolan's career. The Odyssey has grossed more than $1.78 billion worldwide, making it Nolan's highest-grossing film ever. That's bigger than Oppenheimer. Not bad for a first-time actor.
Travis Scott's Next Move: New Album and a Hollywood Deal
His last album, Jackboys 2, came out in July 2025. Since then, he's been in the studio for over a year working on a new solo album. By his own account it's nearly finished. He hasn't announced a title or release date yet, so treat any specific date you see online as a rumor.
At the same time, he's stepping further into film. His company, Cactus Jack, signed a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures to develop projects across film, television, theater, and live experiences. Scott has said he's interested in dark, suspense-driven stories and in roles spanning producing, directing, and sound design. No specific projects have been announced yet. The Odyssey cameo may be the start of a real second career rather than a one-off.
Cactus Jack's music side is active too. Don Toliver, one of the artists on the label, is performing at Travis's own festival later this year. (More: Don Toliver at Camp Flog Gnaw 2026: Full Lineup and Tickets.)
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Travis Scott in The Odyssey: FAQ
Who does Travis Scott play in The Odyssey?
Travis Scott plays Phemius, a bard. His opening monologue sets the stage for the entire film, with Phemius singing about Odysseus's victories in the Trojan War.
Is Travis Scott actually in The Odyssey?
Yes. He appears as Phemius, an ancient Greek bard. It's his first ever acting role in a film.
Why did Christopher Nolan cast Travis Scott?
Nolan wanted a rapper to play the bard because both are oral storytellers who perform for a crowd. The two had already worked together on Tenet in 2020, so Nolan called him directly.
What is Travis Scott doing after The Odyssey?
He's finishing a new solo album (no title or release date confirmed yet) and his company, Cactus Jack, signed a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures to develop films, TV shows, and other projects.
