Universal to Campaign Anne Hathaway for Supporting Actress Nod for "The Odyssey"

Universal Pictures announced it will campaign Anne Hathaway for a supporting actress nomination for her portrayal of Penelope in Christopher Nolan’s film "The Odyssey." The studio’s strategy places Hathaway in the same category as co-star Samantha Morton, who plays Circe, creating the possibility of two supporting-actress nominees from the same picture, a scenario that has occurred frequently in Academy history.

"The decision puts one of the season’s marquee names near the top of the supporting actress conversation," a studio source said, adding that the move also highlights Matt Damon as the film’s sole lead-actor contender.

Hathaway, who won the Oscar for supporting actress in 2013 for "Les Misérables," joins a cast that includes Damon, Morton and veteran actors John Leguizamo and Robert Pattinson, who may also be considered for supporting-actor nominations. "The Odyssey," which has earned more than $1.6 billion worldwide, is also being positioned for multiple technical and artisan category nominations.

Industry observers note that the supporting-actress field appears less crowded than the lead-actress race, which currently features Julianne Moore among others. If both Hathaway and Moore were to win, it would mark the first time since 1995 that two women each received a second acting Oscar in the same ceremony.

The campaign comes as Hathaway’s 2026 slate includes roles in "Mother Mary," "The Devil Wears Prada 2," "The End of Oak Street" and the upcoming thriller "Verity," in which she also serves as a producer.