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Charlize Theron on ‘The Odyssey’ Becoming Universal’s Highest-Grossing Movie and Raising Millions to Fight Femicide in Africa With CTAOP
Confirmed
In Short: Charlize Theron celebrated the success of 'The Odyssey' at Universal's Block Party, where the film became Universal Pictures' highest-grossing movie ever, grossing $1.68 billion globally.
Charlize Theron celebrated the success of 'The Odyssey' at Universal's Block Party, where the film became Universal Pictures' highest-grossing movie ever, grossing $1.68 billion globally. The event also raised funds for her charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP).
Theron expressed her joy over the film's success, telling The Hollywood Reporter, 'It’s so rewarding to see that people do want to go to the theaters.' She highlighted the film's impact on the industry, noting, 'You don’t do this work in a silo, and it’s not black and white.
The actress reflected on the importance of community support for CTAOP, which has helped nearly 5 million people across South Africa since its founding in 2007. She emphasized the need for sustained support, especially in light of the loss of international funding.
Theron shared her hope that the work of CTAOP will not be needed in another two decades, indicating the progress made in addressing issues such as femicide and HIV in South Africa. She noted, 'We get to be partners to our partners through all of it — not just HIV, not just education, not just safety — but that we’re there for them no matter what.
The Block Party, which took place on Universal's backlot, featured a guest list that included January Jones, Nick Kroll, Patton Oswalt, and Skye P. Theron highlighted the importance of community support for both her charity and the film's success.
Despite the film's success, Theron acknowledged the challenges faced by her charity, particularly the loss of international funding. She emphasized the need for local support, stating, 'Losing international funds has really devastated not only South Africa, but I think all of this work all over the world.
Theron also addressed the character of Calypso, played by her in 'The Odyssey,' noting, 'She’s a tricky bitch. She’s messy. I don’t know. I’m sure Vin will come up with a great way for her to … I almost said die, but I guess she doesn’t have to die, right?
The event not only celebrated the film's success but also raised funds for CTAOP, which works to strengthen the health and safety of youth in Southern Africa. Theron expressed her gratitude for the support, stating, 'Universal truly is my family.
What this adds
The Odyssey has become the 12th highest-grossing film ever and the third-biggest non-franchise title of all time, with $601.2 million domestically and $1.083 billion internationally.
Background
The Odyssey has shattered box office records, becoming Universal Pictures' highest-grossing movie ever with global earnings of $1.684 billion.
The Odyssey is one of two major epics of ancient Greek literature attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest surviving works of literature and remains popular with modern audiences.
What's confirmed
- Charlize Theron celebrated the success of 'The Odyssey' at Universal's Block Party, where the film became Universal Pictures' highest-grossing movie ever, grossing $1.68 billion globally. The event also raised funds for her charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP).
- Theron expressed her joy over the film's success, telling The Hollywood Reporter, 'It’s so rewarding to see that people do want to go to the theaters.' She highlighted the film's impact on the industry, noting, 'You don’t do this work in a silo, and it’s not black and white.
- The actress reflected on the importance of community support for CTAOP, which has helped nearly 5 million people across South Africa since its founding in 2007. She emphasized the need for sustained support, especially in light of the loss of international funding.
- Theron shared her hope that the work of CTAOP will not be needed in another two decades, indicating the progress made in addressing issues such as femicide and HIV in South Africa. She noted, 'We get to be partners to our partners through all of it — not just HIV, not just education, not just safety — but that we’re there for them no matter what.
- The Block Party, which took place on Universal's backlot, featured a guest list that included January Jones, Nick Kroll, Patton Oswalt, and Skye P. Theron highlighted the importance of community support for both her charity and the film's success.
- Despite the film's success, Theron acknowledged the challenges faced by her charity, particularly the loss of international funding. She emphasized the need for local support, stating, 'Losing international funds has really devastated not only South Africa, but I think all of this work all over the world.
- Theron also addressed the character of Calypso, played by her in 'The Odyssey,' noting, 'She’s a tricky bitch. She’s messy. I don’t know. I’m sure Vin will come up with a great way for her to … I almost said die, but I guess she doesn’t have to die, right?
- The event not only celebrated the film's success but also raised funds for CTAOP, which works to strengthen the health and safety of youth in Southern Africa. Theron expressed her gratitude for the support, stating, 'Universal truly is my family.
What's still developing
- Theron, who plays Calypso in Nolan’s epic, said the response has been particularly encouraging at a time when the industry remains uncertain about the future of moviegoing.
- “I think we needed a little bit of this reminder that people do love to watch movies in the theater.” And while Nolan has become one of the rare filmmakers capable of turning his name alone into a theatrical event, Theron hopes he won’t remain an exception.
- “That is a difficult thing,” Theron said, pondering the character’s fate.
- “She’s a tricky bitch. She’s messy. I don’t know. I’m sure Vin will come up with a great way for her to … I almost said die, but I guess she doesn’t have to die, right?” (With a spinoff series in the works at Peacock, it’s safe to say any fate is possible for the massive ensemble cast.) Now back to the topic at hand: next year, CTAOP will turn 20 and, to date, has served over 80 organizations, reached over 4.8 million youth and granted $16.5 million to local grassroots organizations.
- “Every morning, I get on my feed and I hear of another young woman’s body that was found in a dump in East Rand, where I grew up. And it’s like nobody cares. Nobody’s talking about these things,” Theron added, growing impassioned.
- But the box office milestone wasn’t really the figure Theron had at the top of her mind.
- Vin Diesel declared the film’s script is “the best [he’s] read in decades,” but he hasn’t shared a copy with Theron yet.
- Since its release on the 16th, the film has attracted more than 404,000 moviegoers.
- Christopher Nolan's sweeping science-fiction epic 'The Odyssey' slipped one spot to second after drawing more than 256,000 moviegoers over the weekend.
- The studio's success may also be attributed to the fact that Hollywood isn't making a lot of movies these days, according to Fox Business.
- Winkler further explained that he was not "suited" to direct the movie but accepted the job after being handpicked by Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg.
- Saturday, September 12, 2026 · 12:20 PM ET In Short: The Odyssey has shattered box office records, becoming Universal Pictures' highest-grossing movie ever with global earnings of $1.684 billion.