Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of ‘The Odyssey’ hasn’t even begun filming, yet it’s already navigating stormy waters, this time not from Cyclopes or sea monsters, but from social media outrage and a very public jab by Elon Musk.
The scandal arose when it was rumored that Lupita Nyong’o might be portraying Helen of Troy in the epic retelling of Homer’s poem. Although the role of Nyong has not been confirmed, the rumor itself was sufficient to create a debate on the Internet.
Elon Musk Criticizes Lupita Nyong’o As Helen Of Troy In ‘The Odyssey’
Elon Musk entered the discussion on X in response to a post that claimed that Helen was historically described as fair-skinned and blonde, by stating that Nolan had lost his integrity. The remark soon spread like wildfire over the internet, turning a casting rumor into a wider cultural hotspot.
One unverified fact was sufficient to cause debate over historical accuracy, artistic license, and representation, before audiences had even watched a single frame of the movie.
“Helen of Troy was fair-skinned, blonde, and ‘the face that launched a thousand ships‘”. Because she was so beautiful that men started a war over her. Casting choices that make the premise incoherent are admissions that the story was never the point and an insult to the author,” an X user wrote. “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity,” Musk replied.
Related: Travis Scott Makes Big-Screen Acting Debut In Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’
The only thing that makes the situation particularly charged is the lack of knowledge. In November 2024, Variety confirmed a Nolan-Nyong’o collaboration. However, Nolan has not officially announced her role. Nevertheless, the assumptions became solidified as fact on the internet. Now, Musk’s comment only increased the backlash and made it mainstream.
To Nolan, who has made his career out of radical reinterpretations of familiar content, the notion that mythological characters should fit into one physical description seems to be incompatible with his filmmaking philosophy. Greek myths themselves exist in countless versions, shaped by centuries of oral storytelling and reinterpretation.
‘The Odyssey’ Is A Technological And Creative Gamble
Lost amid the noise is what ‘The Odyssey’ represents creatively. The movie will be the first narrative feature shot with IMAX cameras, made possible due to a new casing known as a blimp. This significantly lowers the noise of the cameras.
Nolan has termed the innovation a breakthrough, which enabled intimate performances that were recorded on a grand scale.
In case you missed it: That Armored King In ‘The Odyssey’ Trailer Isn’t Who You Expect
The star cast, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, and even Travis Scott, is an indication of a bold, non-traditional interpretation of the ancient epic. Nolan is not merely reenacting ‘The Odyssey’. He is redefining the way mythology can be felt in contemporary film.
Whether Nyong’o plays Helen or not, the uproar underscores a familiar reality: Nolan’s Odyssey is already proving that some battles are fought long before the journey even begins.
You might like to read: Robert Pattinson’s Villainous Role In ‘The Odyssey’ Explained
