Just as Christopher Nolan’s sprawling, three-hour epic The Odyssey sails into theaters worldwide, Tom Holland is making waves on the press tour with some hilariously protective and highly revealing comments about his co-star and real-life partner, Zendaya.
While promoting the highly anticipated mythological blockbuster, the 30-year-old actor casually referred to the Euphoria star as his “wife”, sending the internet into an absolute tailspin and putting a playful end to any on-screen “shipping” rumors.
In the film, Zendaya portrays the powerful Greek goddess Athena, who serves as the guiding protector of Matt Damon’s wandering hero, Odysseus. When asked about the on-screen dynamic and whether there could ever be a deeper romantic connection between the ancient goddess and the mortal king, Holland who plays Odysseus’s fiercely loyal son Telemachus shut the idea down with his signature charm.
“She could never love Odysseus,” Holland joked during a press panel. “Because she is married to me.”
Co-star Matt Damon quickly chimed in on the banter. When asked what lessons Zendaya’s divine Athena could possibly teach Holland’s mortal Telemachus on screen, Damon dryly quipped, “True love.”
While the couple’s relationship has been famously kept under wraps for years, their joint casting in The Odyssey came about in the most wholesome way possible. Holland recently revealed that after Nolan officially cast him as Telemachus, the director politely asked if he’d “be offended” if he offered the role of Athena to Zendaya.
Holland was thrilled and volunteered to deliver the script home to his partner. He playfully told Zendaya to reread the screenplay but to look at it “with Athena in mind,” leading to a massive, emotional celebration in their living room.
With The Odyssey officially dominating IMAX screens this summer, fans of the ultimate Hollywood power couple have plenty of reasons to celebrate both on and off the screen.
