It is being transformed to look like ancient Greek with some of the biggest stars on the planet linked to the project.

Work has begun on the Banffshire coast for the big screen epic The Odyssey – the latest and most expensive blockbuster by Oscar winning director Sir Christopher Nolan.

It is believed the Oppenheimer director will use locations around Buckie and Cullen, including Findlater Castle, for the Hollywood movie.

A-listers including Matt Damon, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson have all been linked to the project with hundreds of people expected to be involved on some days.

Yesterday (Mon), a diversion at the castle, overlooking the Moray Firth, was in place with a sign warning it will be in place until July 25.

A fake period building has been constructed from plywood in the fenced area overlooking the castle.

Findlater Castle in Moray where film crew are constructing a fake building for the new ‘The Odyssey’ movie directed by Michael Nolan

Actress Zendaya was earlier spotted filming for The Odyssey in Favignana, Italy

The shoot will also involve scenes at the sea with replicas of ancient Greek vessels.

Filming for the big screen production which is due to be released in cinemas on July 16 next year started in February in Morocco. It has also taken place in Greece and Sicily.

The Odyssey is predicted be the most expensive film of Sir Christopher’s career.

It dramatises the journey of the ancient Greek king of Ithaca, Odysseus, back home to his wife following the Trojan War.

The 54-year-old filmmaker achieved major success with the release of Oppenheimer in 2023 which went on to won him the Academy Award for best director.

It is hoped that The Odyssey will have similar success with filming taking place around the world.

Visit Aberdeenshire has confirmed Findlater Castle is ‘inaccessible’ until July 25 ‘as a result of a private commercial activity’ in the ‘immediate vicinity of the site’.

The tourism body added: ‘This also includes the closure of the Barnyards of Findlater car park during this period, which is regularly used for visiting the castle.’

While those in Cullen say the presence of film crews in the area is becoming ‘common knowledge, a spokesman for Moray Council would only say: ‘The support we provide through our film liaison service is confidential.’

However, one local said: ‘We have been told that 500 people may be involved at its peak.’

The 2016 remake of Whisky Galore, starring Eddie Izzard and Gregor Fisher, was also filmed in the area.