Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” opens in less than two weeks — just enough time to brush up on the details of the historic epic .

On Tuesday, ElevenLabs announced it was releasing a new 13-hour version of Homer’s classic with Michael Caine “narrating.” This version was created entirely by AI tools.

The AI audio firm is using Caine’s voice to anchor a new, roughly 13-hour version of “The Odyssey” weeks before Nolan’s upcoming film hits theaters.

But as hunger for Homer-related content seems to be growing, did the world need an AI version?

Early reactions were not entirely favorable. One reader wrote, “Every other easily spoken human was unavailable or what?” Another said, “I don’t get why this was necessary. He’s no longer acting but as far as I know, he hasn’t lost his voice, right? He could have done this in his PJs for all anyone would care.”

Various translations of the printed book are available, along with numerous audio versions, none of which are official movie tie-ins. Among the popular narrations are those read by Ian McKellen, Claire Danes, Dan Stevens, Stephen Fry, Anthony Heald and Benedict Cumberbatch. All come in under 15 hours (except for Heald’s version), leaving plenty of time before seeing the film to get up to speed.

Ian McKellen

Robert Fagles won the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for his translation that was released in 1999. Jasper Griffin said in his New York Times Book Review that the book was “a distinguished achievement.” McKellen narrates the audiobook version, which has a listening length of 13 hours and 3 minutes. Listeners have said, “McKellen brings the characters to life,” and “Ian McKellen perfectly represents Robert Fagles’ grandiose poetry.”

Dan Stevens

Robert Fitzgerald’s translation of Homer’s “The Odyssey” ranks amongst the best modern versions. Fitzgerald’s version was released in 1961 and has been the standard translation for generations of students and poets. Stevens, who played “Beast” in Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast” and Matthew Crawley on “Downton Abbey,” leads the narration, which has a listening length of 10 hours and 15 minutes.

Claire Danes

Emily Wilson is the first woman to translate the poem from Ancient Greek to modern-day English. Her rendition captures the poetic immediacy of the original text, while allowing listeners to experience “The Odyssey” with an honesty and directness few other versions have achieved. Danes’ unabridged audiobook spans 13 hrs and 32 minutes.

Stephen Fry

The witty actor and comedian released four books in which he reimagined Greek myths. The last book in the series is “The Odyssey,” in which he follows Odysseus’ journey. Accompanying the book is a 10 hour and 37-minute audio version which he narrates. The Guardian called his audiobook narration, “One hell of a trip.”

Benedict Cumberbatch

An abridged version by BBC Radio 4 features an all-star cast. Dramatized by poet Simon Armitage, the production stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Telemachus. who has a quest of his own. The Independent on Sunday said this version was, “As irresistible as gravity … a production so thrilling that it rapidly becomes unthinkable to press the stop – or even the pause – button.” Janet McTeer, John Rowe and  Frances Barber also star in this version from 2004 that runs 3 hrs and 49 minutes.

Anthony Heald

Actor Heald has lent his voice to many audiobooks including many in the “Star Wars” universe. His titles include “Agents of Chaos I: Hero’s Trial,” and “Iron Fist.” Heald lends his narration to both of Homer’s classics, “The Odyssey” and “Illiad.” His unabridged version of both books come in at
25 hrs and 2 mins, and are based on the translations by W. H. D. Rouse.