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How Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Made Its Monsters Real

Andrew Jackson explained in a pre-recorded conversation with Befores and Afters that putting something physical in front of the camera was usually the key; the Cyclops took cables.

On air: Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 1:24 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: PhilipRomano · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Pop Culture

Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 1:24 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Variety's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: PhilipRomano · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Christopher Nolan — Photo: PhilipRomano · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by Variety: “A Cyclops on Strings and Samantha Morton Reshaping Faces by Hand: How Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Made Its Monsters Real”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 1:24 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

VarietyA Cyclops on Strings and Samantha Morton Reshaping Faces by Hand: How Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Made Its Monsters Real

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorChristopher Nolan's The Odyssey built its monsters for real, with a giant Cyclops hung from cables and Samantha Morton reshaping silicone faces with her own hands.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA one-eyed giant dangling on strings. I'd like his exit interview, please, and a list of what he's taking out in the box.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorDale, it's a puppet.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe cables, Chip. He's taking the cables.

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