Benny Safdie's Water Blunder During Christopher Nolan's Epic Shoot
The actor reveals a costly mistake he made while filming the ambitious adaptation in foreign locations across six countries.
Christopher Nolan's ambitious adaptation of The Odyssey pushed boundaries in ways actors hadn't experienced before. Benny Safdie, who plays the powerful king Agamemnon, learned this lesson the hard way during production.
The scale of Nolan's vision became clear through the casting alone. Matt Damon takes on Odysseus while Anne Hathaway portrays Penelope. Tom Holland steps into the role of Telemachus, with Charlize Theron as the enchantress Circe. Robert Pattinson plays Antinous and Jon Bernthal becomes Menelaus.
A Dangerous Oversight
Safdie's biggest regret from the shoot involved a simple but serious mistake. While filming in one of the international locations, he drank contaminated water without thinking twice about the consequences.
The production team spent months traveling between February and August 2025. They filmed across Morocco's landscapes, Greece's ancient sites, Italy's historic regions, Scotland's rugged terrain, Iceland's dramatic vistas, and Ireland's green countryside.
Epic Scale Brings Real Challenges
Each location presented unique obstacles for the cast and crew. The massive scope of Nolan's project meant actors faced situations they'd never encountered on typical Hollywood sets.
Safdie's water incident shows how even experienced performers can make basic survival errors when caught up in the excitement of such an enormous production. The mistake could have derailed his participation in the film.
The international shooting schedule demanded constant adaptation from everyone involved. Moving between six countries in six months created logistical nightmares that extended beyond simple travel arrangements.