Jon Bernthal plays Menelaus in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Best known for portraying Frank Castle in Marvel’s The Punisher and for standout performances in films like Ford v Ferrari and The Accountant, Bernthal joins Nolan’s star-studded adaptation in the role of the legendary Spartan king. Menelaus is one of the most significant figures connected to the Trojan War, making him an important supporting character in the epic despite his relatively limited screen time.
In Greek mythology, Menelaus is the king of Sparta and the husband of Helen, whose abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War. He fights alongside his brother Agamemnon during the conflict and eventually returns home after enduring his own difficult journey across the Mediterranean. In The Odyssey, Menelaus welcomes Telemachus to Sparta and shares valuable information about Odysseus’ fate, helping set the young prince on the path toward finding his father. His experiences also mirror many of the hardships faced by Odysseus after the war.
Bernthal’s commanding screen presence makes him a natural fit for the Spartan king, whose story is defined by both resilience and loss. While Menelaus is not the central focus of The Odyssey, his scenes provide important context for Odysseus’ long-awaited return and the lasting consequences of the Trojan War. Christopher Nolan‘s adaptation could also expand the character’s role, giving Bernthal another memorable performance alongside one of the year’s most impressive ensemble casts.
