Christopher Nolan has dedicated “The Odyssey” to David Keighley, Imax’s first quality director and pioneer of large-format cinema, who died after a battle with cancer last year.

Nolan announced the news during the film’s London premiere at the BFI Imax Theatre. Introducing the screening, he said: “This was the first place I met David, in this theater, and we embarked on a journey of more than 20 years. I confessed to him my secret desire to film Hollywood films in Imax, and he very graciously and skillfully accompanied me and helped me.”

Over the years, Nolan shot many of his films in Imax. “Batman Begins” was optimized for Imax and began using Imax cameras for “The Dark Knight.” He also shot “Dunkirk,” “Tenet,” and “Oppenheimer” in large premium format, but “The Odyssey” is the first film shot entirely with Imax cameras.

Nolan said: “David sadly passed away just after we finished critical photography on this film, and after we finished his important job of printing all our days and approving all the photographs. So I’m delighted that he was able to finish that.”

In an Instagram post, Geoff Keighley, David’s son, shared the video and wrote: “When Dad found out he had terminal cancer in January 2026, he was just days away from beginning principal photography on ‘The Odyssey,’ which he believed would be ‘the most important film ever made’ in his 53-year career at Imax. ‘The Odyssey’ is the realization of his lifelong dream. Imax began making documentaries in the 1970s. about space, animals and the wonders of the world, but my mom and dad always dreamed that one day, a great Hollywood epic would be made entirely with Imax cameras: “our “Lawrence of Arabia,” as he liked to say.” He continued: “When we, as a family, met with his doctors, my dad was clear about the goal that would define the rest of his life: ‘Please keep me alive long enough to finish production on “The Movie.” “Odyssey” for Chris’”.

Nolan stated, “David sadly passed away just after we wrapped principal photography on this film.”

Geoff Keighley concluded by writing, “As my father grew weaker, he never wavered in his commitment to Chris and his wife/producing partner Emma Thomas. And you know what? He did. Like Odysseus, my father came home: he finished principal photography on the film.”