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One World with Zain Asher

Crews Battle Raging Wildfires In France And Spain; Oil Prices Lower As Pause In U.S.-Iran Strikes Continues; Sources: Vance, Caine Raised Concerns About Escalating Iran War; Man Sues OpenAI, Claims ChatGPT Gave Near-Fatal Advice; Challenges With Watching "The Odyssey" On IMAX Screens; Aired 12-1p ET

Aired July 27, 2026 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:00:35]

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: Wildfires in France are so intense they're creating their own weather. Second hour "One World" starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IRA SZMUK, BORDEAUX RESIDENT: You can't breathe. There's a smell of smoke and ashes everywhere.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: A race to contain. Authorities in France say the fires may not be fully extinguished for months.

Also ahead, warnings from the top. Sources tell CNN, some of Trump's most powerful and influential officials are raising concerns about the war in

Iran.

Plus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want you guys to give a warm welcome to our new Black Panther.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Wakanda forever. What we know about the man slated to play Marvel's brand-new Black Panther.

And later, smashing records and expectations. How "The Odyssey" is doing what other summer blockbusters simply can't.

Hello, everyone. Live in New York, I'm Bianna Golodryga. Zain is off today. You are watching "One World."

At this hour, hundreds of thousands of people in Spain and France are out of their homes, unsure when they'll be able to go back or if they'll have a

home to go back to. Wildfires are causing havoc in both countries, fueled by warm, dry winds which are not expected to ease up this week.

Officials in France admit they don't know how long it will take to put them out saying it could be months. One Bordeaux a resident told CNN what life

is like in the path of the wildfire.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SZMUK: In the last few days, we had a lot of smoke coming from -- from the fires towards the center of Bordeaux. And it basically a -- a horrible

feeling. You can't breathe. There's a smell of smoke and ashes everywhere. So, a lot of people have been just decided to leave even though Bordeaux

itself we have not received any evacuation orders so far.

But people are just voluntarily decided that it's not the air quality is something they can't, you know, deal with anymore and they -- many are just

to other parts of France.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: It comes as firefighters brace for scorching hot temperatures to return, making a dangerous job even harder.

We're getting a stunning bird's eye view of the wildfires in Spain with aerial video showing fires burning at night. Fires that are so hot they're

actually creating their own weather system.

We're covering the fires from all angles. Derek Van Dam will be in to tell us what the week looks like. But let's begin in Spain with Pau Mosquera.

Pau, how are residents there responding? What are officials telling them?

PAU MOSQUERA, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bianna today is going to be a critical day because the authorities are saying that all efforts

are going to be necessary in order to contain the fire.

As from Wednesday and on, we are expected to be suffering the fourth heat wave of the summer, which means that the temperatures will climb again and

will make more difficult to try to control these wildfires.

Actually, let me tell you that from where we are, you can clearly see the impact of those wildfires raging across western Madrid. If we have a look

to the distance you can see silhouette against the clear blue sky, a vast, dense column of smoke that is coming from the blaze -- from the blaze.

We know that so far, these wildfires have scored around 28,000 hectares of forest and forest around 31,000 people to be evacuated from their homes.

Now, the situation on the ground, Bianna, is the following. We were trying to get closer to the heart of the wildfire zone, but the authorities have

decided to shut down all access roads to the west of the region.

And this is why that this pile of vehicles is starting to line up here behind of us. Most of them are trying to access to some of the areas

affected by the fires.

But it's going to be very difficult for them to get to those towns as the authorities are making -- are ordering all of them to get back the very

same way they were accessing right now, Bianna.

[12:05:08]

GOLODRYGA: And as you noted, another heatwave coming, lasting residents their need. Pau Mosquera, thank you.

For that, let's bring in CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam. So, Derek, they just can't catch a break there. The fourth heat -- heat wave this summer.

Just talk about how that's going to impact the -- the ability to put these fires out.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, Bianna, if I may, let -- let's step back and talk about how we got here in the first place. OK? So, we came off

an abnormally wet winter, January and February across Western and Central Europe had a lot of precipitation.

Then the taps were turned off and we saw the mercury in the thermometer spike. What that did is it quickly dried up the vegetation. We call that a

flash drought. And that is what is being experienced across the Iberian Peninsula and parts of France, as we speak.

Several large fires being fueled by this dry vegetation left over from the abnormally wet winter is helping and getting fanned by the strong winds and

the record setting heat.

And you heard French authorities talking about how this heat from the wildfires is so intense that it's creating its own weather systems.

I wanted to break that down because I find that very fascinating. I've seen this in North America before. We found the satellite image. This is taken

from Friday. So, just the other part of the weekend.

Now, I want you to see where Bordeaux is. Notice that cloud here. So, we're looking from a satellite image from above. That is a towering what we call

a pyrocunulunimbus cloud, similar to a thunderstorm cloud.

How does it form? Well, the intense heat from these wildfires create an intense updraft and that allows for the clouds to cool, condense, and

eventually creates perhaps lightning starting additional wildfires, but also complicating firefighting efforts on the ground because it often

creates its own outflow winds.

So, that creates these embers that push forward, new forward flanks of fires can be ignited ahead of the main fire because of these

pyrocunulunimbus clouds, their own weather systems that the fires are actually starting.

The winds are not helping. They're gusting 20 to 30, even upwards of 40 kilometers per hour at times. As Paul mentioned, the heat dome that is

going to build in this week. This is the fourth or fifth heat wave that is going to be experienced across the Iberian Peninsula peeking on the day on

Wednesday.

I want you to see this. Temperatures drop off by Thursday. That's because a weak cold front will come through and you think, hey, maybe this will bring

us some rain. Unfortunately, not much precipitation in this forecast.

All this really will do, Bianna, is change the direction of the wind and complicate firefighting efforts on the ground that much more.

GOLODRYGA: Just terrible news there for residents and obviously those first responders who are putting their lives at risk going out and battling these

flames.

Derek Van Dam, thank you.

VAN DAM: Very challenging.

GOLODRYGA: All right. Turning to U.S. military operations in Iran, which appeared to be on hold, amid signs that the war could expand on a new

front.

Tehran is now threatening Ukraine, after Kyiv attacked an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, the route for much of the country's trade with Russia.

Ukraine says it struck ships carrying military cargo from Iran to Russia.

Iran also says that it will not allow Washington to determine the timing of the war as the U.S. pauses its airstrikes. The U.S. ambassador to the

United Nations says, President Trump is creating space for negotiations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE WALTZ, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: What the president is doing right now, as we've seen all along, is giving some talks, some space.

Talks are ongoing. They're happening at every level.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Meantime, global oil prices are sharply lower amid the pause in the Iran war.

CNN's Anna Cooban joins us now from London. And we see how delicate the reaction from traders is to the constant news coming out of the Middle

East. As soon as there are signs of perhaps more diplomacy, we see a drop in oil prices. When things turn escalatory, they turn around.

Just give us a sense of how traders are analyzing all of this.

ANNA COOBAN, CNN BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS REPORTER: Yes, we are right. It's really sort of very Groundhog Day at the moment.

Just a few days ago, we saw oil above $100 a barrel, that real sort of milestone moment. Now, it's down. Brent, the -- the global benchmark, down

to just under $90 a barrel there. And there are -- you know, there's reasons why this is the case.

Clearly, there's been a lull in the fighting and this is, of course, a relief among traders. But there are some more structural reasons as to

suggest that we're in a position that's slightly. And I emphasize slightly more positive than we were just a few weeks ago, parts of the world have

gotten used to, to lower demand for oil in some cases.

And then also during the time that the Strait of Hormuz was kind of basically open. We got over 200 million barrels of oil out. That's

according to Lipow Oil Associates. Now that covers global supply for around 17 weeks. And so that's good news there.

[12:10:07]

China, as well, has been drawing down its massive stockpiles that have released from -- of oil from strategic oil reserves across many countries.

So, this has all been happening on the backdrop.

These are bright spots, Bianna, however, on a backdrop of a real negative situation. And we've seen, over the weekend, just a trickle of ships get

out of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran as well, saying that, you know, the majority of those ships are moving through this approved corridor.

Iran, clearly, still has a grip over the Strait of Hormuz. And then also this war has opened up on a second front in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. We've

seen Iran-backed Houthi militants claim to have attacked Saudi oil tankers. And this is the only way that Saudi Arabia can get out a big chunk of its

oil.

So, yes, we're seeing, you know, lower demand in some places, you know, countries drawing on stockpiles.

But fundamentally, the relief that we're seeing today in the market, you know, will probably be quite short-lived if we are to see another

protracted closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. We're already seeing reports of the Saudi deflecting, shooting down missiles coming from what -- what it sought to be the Houthis

right now as well.

Anna Cooban, thank you.

Well, as the war with Iran drags on, new worries are emerging. During a meeting on Friday with President Trump, sources tell us the vice president,

along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, raise concerns about escalating the war and the strain it's putting on U.S. weapons stockpile

that is getting quickly depleted.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is revising its casualty numbers after coming under fire last week for being slow to update. It reports at least 18 U.S. troops

have now been killed and more than 600 wounded since the war began February 28.

CNN's Kevin Liptak joins us from the White House with more. So, Kevin, the President seemingly reversing course. It appeared he was gearing up for a

major military escalation just a few days ago in per reporting that CNN has done along with other media outlets.

There were a couple of top-level officials who warned him that the stockpiles, in particular, interceptors, are running and -- and depleting

rather quickly.

Just talk about how that may have influenced his ultimate decision.

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes. And there were multiple concerns raised in this meeting on Friday that the president convened with

his national security team.

And in particular, you heard the vice president, J.D. Vance, and General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both raised their

misgivings about a potential escalation in the conflict, which President Trump had been previewing publicly, and which he seemed poised to give the

go-ahead for heading into the weekend.

And Dan Caine, in particular, did raise some of these concerns about dwindling stockpiles of munitions. And in particular, the air defense

interceptors that the U.S. has used over the course of this conflict to intercept ballistic missiles that Iran has been firing towards American

positions in the region.

And you saw how that ended in tragedy when that base in Jordan was targeted that led to the deaths of three American service members.

Now, we have known for quite some time that this is a concern inside the administration. There's one group in Washington, the Center for Strategic

and International Studies that has estimated that the U.S. has used 1,500 patriot interceptors over the course of this conflict, which would leave

about a thousand remaining.

And it's an extraordinary number when you consider these costs, the interceptors cost about $4 million apiece in some of what they're being

used to -- to intercept, which is the drones that Iran has been using only cost about $35,000. And so there's a mismatch there that the military will

have to work out.

Now, in this briefing, General Caine did say that if the president wanted to execute on one of the options or any of the options he had in front of

him for escalating, that the military would be able to do that and would be able to do it successfully. But nonetheless, these questions do remain

about the stocks.

Now, the administration, over the last couple of days, has been forcefully denying that there are problems with the stockpiles. What Mike Waltz, you

saw earlier, the American ambassador to the U.N., said is that the military, quote, has everything that it needs to conduct this campaign as

effectively as it needs to be.

But he was also saying that anyone leaking information about the stockpiles deserves to go to jail. And I don't think it's a crime to leak false

information. And so there is, I think, clearly some concerns bubbling up underneath the surface.

There were also, in this meeting, concerns raised about the potential for civilian deaths inside Iran. And we know that the president has been openly

musing about going after civilian infrastructure, also concerns about a potential refugee crisis.

[12:15:05]

And I think perhaps the biggest concern of all, aside from the stockpiles, is that this may not eventually prove effective in getting the Iranians

back to the negotiating table, which is what the U.S. wants to see here if the president is to see this war come to an end.

And so I think a lot of questions about whether the president has completely ruled this out. He told "Axios" earlier today that he would pull

the trigger on a major escalation if the Iranians don't come back in a meaningful way to the negotiations.

And so it still seems as if it's an open question where this is all heading, but the president holding off on that intensification at least for

now.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And "Axios" also reporting that another factor was CENTCOM Commander, Bradley Cooper, reportedly suggesting a pause in the constant

military strikes in the Strait of Hormuz saying that, in his view, they've lost their effectiveness at this point as well.

Kevin Liptak, thank you so much.

For more on this, I want to bring in retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Karen Gibson. General, thank you so much for joining us.

So you just heard that whole setup about the reporting over the weekend. The White House is disputing that, saying there's no stockpile issue. And

that if the president were wanting to re-engage once again in a massive kinetic strike and campaign, that he has all of the resources and assets

that he needs. So, which one is it in your view?

LT. GEN. KAREN GIBSON (RET.), U.S. ARMY: Well, I think both could be true. We could have enough interceptors remaining in the stockpile to wage this

war with Iran.

But one problem is that these are not just used for this current conflict in the Middle East. This is a weapons system and ammunition that we provide

to allies, to Gulf partners across the region, to Ukraine and to East Asian allies.

And the shortfalls within the defense industrial base have been known for years. They long predate this administration and the one before it.

And the question has always been posed, do we have enough interceptors in the event something happens and we have to defend Taiwan?

So, this is a weapons system. Yes, we may have enough for the campaign with Iran, but it's going to take a very long time for the industrial base to

restock what's been expended. And that has implications for other theaters as well. So in that sense, both could be accurate.

GOLODRYGA: So, then explain to both American audiences, the taxpayers who are footing the bill for the Defense Department and supporting our troops

and procurement of these weapons. And for viewers abroad who see that the U.S. defense budget balloons this even the number two after the U.S. in

terms of how much resources, how much money is allocated, trillions of dollars to the Defense Department.

So, how do you answer the question of why then after just four months of not a fully engaged war with troops on the ground as we've seen in Iraq and

Afghanistan, how are we even having this conversation now about stockpiles?

GIBSON: Well, sure. I think it's fair to say that the people who planned the operation did not predict that it would last this long. And certainly

they thought that there would probably be a more rapid capitulation on the part of the Islamic regime.

There may have been some assumptions that they won't stop traffic in the Strait of Hormuz because that'll impact their economy. They won't attack

other states in the Gulf because they need them to remain neutral.

And if the economic well-being of the Iranian people was the foremost priority of the Islamic Republic, those might be the decisions they had

made.

But I think it's easy to forget that for the men who lead the Republic, the -- they see this as an existential fight for their survival. And they are

not making decisions on that calculus.

Their strategy, all along, has been to make the conflict so economically and politically untenable for the United States that the U.S. would back

off on some of the concessions they are asking.

And they believe that they can sustain both the U.S. strikes, airstrikes and sanction regimes, as well as continue to impose these very asymmetric

and punishing retaliatory strikes of their own, and that they believe they have more staying power.

GOLODRYGA: So then, if the original assumption proved to have been a miscalculation on the part of those advising the president, who ultimately

made the decision to start the war, I think most would agree just backing away right now and wiping your hands clean of the war and calling it over

is not really an option for the United States and has global ramifications beyond just the Gulf.

What options does he have right now to course correct, especially when you hear what Admiral Cooper reportedly said about these constant strikes

around targets over the Strait of Hormuz losing their effectiveness?

[12:20:06]

GIBSON: Sure. So, let's look first at Admiral Cooper's comments. You know, when I look at an adversary's options, I look at two things. One, their

will, their intent, their desire, and two, the capability to execute that.

And in this phase of the campaign, which is no longer about imposing enduring curbs on Iran's nuclear program, but it is really about reopening

the Strait to global traffic, Iran has made very clear that they intend to control that to develop some kind of administrative construct that they are

in charge of. That's their well and intent. And their ability to do so is the one way attack or sometimes missile.

So, while U.S. military, under Admiral Cooper, has had tremendous tactical effectiveness, destroying many Iranian military capabilities, they haven't

eliminated those entirely. It's a very narrow Strait and Iran has a vast geography from which they can attack it. And actually eliminating all of

these mobile, easy to hide, relatively easy to produce drones, is an exceptionally high bar. Frankly, eliminating it, probably impossible.

And then if you look at the other side, Iran's willing intent, they haven't backed off on that either. And so I think -- or at least there's no

indication that we've moved the needle in that regard. And I think that's probably what Admiral Cooper was getting at, that more of the same is not

going to have the effect of reopening the Strait.

So, I think the administration faces two choices in that case. Three, if you consider you could continue to do more of the same, you could escalate.

And Kevin previously highlighted some of the risks associated with that.

Or you could pause these strikes and see where we are in terms of potential negotiations with Iran while continuing to sustain the economic blockade,

the sanctions regime, and keeping military forces in the region to apply additional pressure if needed. I think that's the dilemma that the

administration faces right now.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. That third option reportedly is one that Jared Kushner is trying to convince the president to take here that at some point, Iran will

be so squeezed, will be overplaying their hands to such degree that perhaps they too will not realize that -- that time hasn't been on their side

ultimately. We shall see.

Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Karen Gibson, thank you.

GIBSON: Thank you.

GOLODRYGA: Well, people in Seattle are in shock after deadly gun violence at a food festival.

On Sunday, two people apparently began shooting at each other amid the chaos. Three people were killed and several others wounded. One suspect has

been taken into police custody. Authorities say they are still searching for another shooter.

We have new reaction from several witnesses, including one vendor who was streaming at the very moment shots rang out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shooting. Oh, (BLEEP). Oh, (BLEEP) right here. Get down, get down, get down, get down. Yes, just get down.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shooting (INAUDIBLE). Oh, my God. I got to get out of here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I saw families, kids, everyone just like running out of the -- out of the fair. And he had told me like just run, just run, active

shooter. Someone was yelling active shooter.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At least I would say 15 shots total to 20 shots. Total fired two separate rounds. We took off running.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Just so frightening.

We'll be right back with more after the break.

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[12:25:15]

GOLODRYGA: OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, are facing a new lawsuit. A Florida man claims ChatGPT nearly killed him when he asked the chat bot for

medical advice.

The man said ChatGPT dismissed his symptoms and encouraged him from -- discouraged him from seeking treatment with the results that he suffered a

pulmonary embolism.

The lawsuit is among a growing number from people accusing ChatGPT of causing real life harm.

Our tech reporter Clare Duffy is tracking this story for us.

So, what is the defense here for these A.I. companies? I mean, they're not doctors. I would imagine that is the argument they're making. Will it hold

up?

CLARE DUFFY, CNN TECH REPORTER: Well, Bianna, that's exactly what OpenAI is saying in this case. It's saying in its terms of service, it tells people

not to use ChatGPT for medical diagnosis and to be a sole source of information about health information.

However, if you look at this case, it is really fascinating to see how over about a year of using ChatGPT, this 55-year-old man, Scott Winters, told it

about health conditions that were developing and got increasingly specific medical advice, including specific supplement and medication

recommendations, recommended lifestyle changes, other clinical advice from ChatGPT that sounded a lot like something you might get from a health

professional.

Even in the days leading up to this medical emergency, ChatGPT downplayed his symptoms, telling him at one point, this was likely not something

dangerous. It also used religious language appealing to the fact that Scott is a pastor. Telling him at one point that his situation was under God's

watch and not to worry.

Separately, it also told him at one point that his brain must learn, quote, I can feel dizzy and still be safe. That all leading up to this pulmonary

embolism that he said nearly killed him.

And even after that incident, ChatGPT encouraged him not to follow the recommendations of his human doctors. He is now suing OpenAI and CEO Sam

Altman for product liability, negligence, and failure to warn of the risks that he says existed in ChatGPT's platform.

And this, of course, a growing concern as more and more people rely on chatbots for health information.

OpenAI itself says hundreds of millions of people rely on its platform. In a statement, the company said, "Every day, hundreds of millions of people

search the internet for health information. We believe A.I. can make that experience better by helping them find clearer answers, organize their

questions, and prepare for conversations with medical professionals, especially in a world where not everyone has equal access to quality care.

But ChatGPT is not a doctor and should never be used as a substitute for medical care, diagnosis, or treatment."

OpenAI, again, also reiterating the fact that its terms of service say that it should not be used as a medical diagnosis tool.

But again, it's going to be interesting, Bianna, to see how this plays out in court and how the court weighs the fact that ChatGPT gave such specific

medical advice and encouraged Scott Winters not to go to human medical professionals for help.

GOLODRYGA: He's lucky to be alive.

Claire Duffy, thank you.

Well, coming up for us, an epic experience at an epic price. We'll look at the differences between watching "The Odyssey" on IMAX or in a regular

theater.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:30:34]

GOLODRYGA: All right. Welcome back to "One World." I'm Bianna Golodryga.

It is an epic tale about a hard-fought triumph at a time of uncertainty. And that's just the box office numbers. "The Odyssey" is continuing its

stunning run in movie theaters, taking in a whopping $87 million in its second weekend here in the U.S. That is a new record for a movie from

director Christopher Nolan, beating "The Dark Knight."

Demands to see "The Odyssey" in the IMAX 70 millimeter format is unprecedented, with AMC saying it is already the most successful IMAX run

in its history.

Of course, not everyone saying "The Odyssey" wants to pay for the most expensive option. Director Christopher Nolan wants moviegoers to see the

film on IMAX screens.

Though as culture reporter Scottie Andrew explains, her preferred format is not always practical.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SCOTTIE ANDREW, CNN CULTURE REPORTER: I saw the Odyssey in IMAX, and it cost me an hour and $34 to get there.

And then I saw it a second time in a regular theater, and I have thoughts. Let's cut right to it.

So, "The Odyssey" is, like "Sinners" and "Dune," shot with these large format IMAX film cameras so that movie lovers can see these epics and Matt

Damon's pores on a gargantuan high-res screen.

Christopher Nolan told the "A.P." that, by shooting on IMAX 70 millimeter film, you're really letting the screen disappear, like 3D without the

glasses. But there are only 25 IMAX screens that show 70 millimeter film, gathered across 14 states, meaning that most people who watch "The Odyssey"

won't be seeing it in Nolan's preferred format.

A good movie should be good, no matter the format, but after seeing "The Odyssey" in 70 millimeter IMAX, and then the standard version, it really is

better looking in IMAX.

I mean, the man-eating Cyclops is extra freaky, so close up. In the standard version, he was just kind of loud. But most of you won't get to

experience that difference.

Here comes Odysseus. He's going down the mountain.

Apparently, the giant projectors IMAX uses are so old that some of the parts they need don't even exist anymore. Building more of these theaters

is probably out of the question. And that stinks for movie lovers like me who'd rather talk about the substance of the film than go on their own

Odysseys just to get tickets.

I loved the Cyclops. He made his own cheese. He is giving alien, but.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GOLODRYGA: All right. Time now for "The Exchange" and a look at what the success of "The Odyssey" says about cinema today.

Joining me now is entertainment journalist Michael Musto, who says he's not the movie's biggest fan, but you've also made clear that you are an outlier

here because there are a number of fans. The vast majority of reviews have been off the chart.

[12:35:11]

I have not seen this movie yet, Michael, but I do have a question. How does a nearly three-hour R-rated adaptation of a 27-year-old -- a 2,700 year old

poem that we were all forced to read in high school. My rising freshman son just finished reading the book. How does it open to be such a big

blockbuster film?

MICHAEL MUSTO, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Well, first of all, can we not say that I didn't like it? I don't want to be ostracized by all of mankind. I'm

in a vast minority. Very -- very small amount --

GOLODRYGA: Yes. I made that clear. I made that clear.

MUSTO: Thank you. I appreciate that. Anyway, it opened so big. First of all, the director is Christopher Nolan, who has a great track record with,

you know, "Memento," "Inception," "Dark Knight," "Oppenheimer," and so on.

His following follows him wherever he goes. He's taken them to an unexpected place with "The Odyssey." As you say, it's an old Greek piece

from the ancient days. It's the story of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, who's finished with the Trojan War and now goes home to Ithaca to be with

his wife, Penelope, Anne Hathaway.

This is something that was very risky, but it's Christopher Nolan. It's a wonderful multicultural cast.

My favorite actors in the show -- in the movie were Samantha Morton and John Leguizamo.

And it's -- it's spectacular. I saw it in 70 millimeter IMAX. And that's the kind of thing where it's state-of-the-art sound. You look behind you,

you're still seeing the movie practically. I mean, it's enveloping. It's everywhere.

And people started pre-ordering tickets for this movie a year ago. So, that's how in-demand it is.

GOLODRYGA: So, we talk about the great links. You heard in that setup piece that people will go to, to see it in the IMAX form that -- that Christopher

Nolan would like viewers to see it in, that you were able to see the film.

And does this suggest that the theatrical experience is back now for moviegoers? Or is this sort of an outlier case?

MUSTO: I think it's the beginning of a new trend, which is that movies can become an event again that are worth leaving the house for.

Let's face it, streaming and all the shows on streaming and cable have made it kind of not only OK, but kind of socially redeemable to just stay home

and you're binge watching a new series.

But this on IMAX, especially makes it something that people are finding, not myself. People are finding well worth going to, paying money for, and

making it an experience.

Just the way "Oppenheimer" was double billed with "Barbie," that -- that made it an experience.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. We were just talking about that with our producer in the break. The last time we can remember something similar in -- in the type of

turnout and buzz that a film got was when "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" opened up in the same weekend over the summer.

But this film is already getting some Oscar buzz. Is that pre -- too premature at this point, given that the Oscars are what, eight months away?

MUSTO: I think it's one of the first movies that have opened so far before the real Oscar season that will get a lot of Oscar consideration for real.

I found the sound unbearable and my ears were practically bleeding. The drumbeats got louder when something happened, then the screen got murky and

then went back to that Capital A acting.

But here I go, revealing that I didn't care for the film. In any case, the Oscars are going to take notice for Best Picture, director, sound. All the

visual categories and possibly some of the performances as well.

GOLODRYGA: What else really surprised me is that Gen Z is really showing up for Homer. Like who would have thought the average audience age, I read, is

between 18 and 34 years old.

Again, is this unique to Christopher Nolan and his talent? Or is there something perhaps that filmmakers will be also wanting to attach themselves

to with these types of stories coming back to the big screen?

MUSTO: It's partly because of Nolan. It's partly because of the very diverse cast full of big names. It's almost like a Hollywood Square. Oh,

there's Lupita Nyong'o. There's, you know, Charlize Theron.

But it's also because, let me remind you, we all studied "The Odyssey" in school. I know I did. And I loved it. I found it just absorbing and rich.

It's filled with incident and eccentric characters. And it's really one man's Odyssey. It's a very powerful book that really holds up after all

these years.

And I think the young people that read about it in school are very anxious to see the film version of it, which is not a direct literal translation,

it's an interpretation.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, that's what I was --

MUSTO: -- But they're getting off on it. It's --

GOLODRYGA: That's what I was going to ask you. I don't know if they'd be able to pass a test if they try to avoid reading the book and extrapolating

from the film. Because from what I've heard, I was just talking about it with people at a dinner party over the weekend. There are quite a few

creative liberties that Christopher Nolan takes with this film.

[12:40:13]

MUSTO: And there's less emphasis on the gods. I mean, Zeus is everything. And, of course, Zeus comes up in the film, but not as much as in the book.

But most of these people only with (INAUDIBLE) anyway. You're not going to notice any discrepancy.

GOLODRYGA: OK. Michael Musto. I know it wasn't a -- a great experience for you, but I know you will appreciate this film as an expert here.

And look, I'm also a bit skeptical. I'm a fan of yours. So, when you say something, I -- I take it quite literally. And I will probably be seeing

the film very soon. So, I will report back how I felt about it.

MUSTO: Thank you. You know what? Maybe I'll give it another chance.

GOLODRYGA: But a lot of people. Well, maybe we can go together. Let me know when you're back in New York.

OK. Perfect.

MUSTO: Thank you.

GOLODRYGA: Michael, thanks.

Well, Avengers, assemble. Over the weekend, Marvel fans experienced a bittersweet moment at the San Diego Comic-Con. We finally know who will be

taking on the role of Black Panther's son.

Director Ryan Coogler says his next film will introduce British actor David Johnson as the new character.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID JOHNSON, ACTOR: I want to say thank you so much. Thank you, Ryan. Thank you, Kevin. Thank you to this amazing family that I have the honor

and the privilege and the blessing to join.

I actually don't want to say too much because I want to let this screen do the talking.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Ladies and gentlemen, the new T'Challa. The previous Black Panther, of course, was portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman who passed

away in 2020 when he was just 43 years old.

"Black Panther III" is set for release in December of 2028.

All right. That does it for this edition of "One World" today. I'm Bianna Golodryga. Thanks so much for watching. Don't go anywhere. I'll be back in

about 15 minutes time with "Amanpour." "African Voices" is coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(AFRICAN VOICES)

[13:00:00]

END