Elon Musk has reignited controversy over Christopher Nolan’s film “The Odyssey” by publicly criticizing the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, a role traditionally portrayed as a fair-skinned, blonde character in Greek mythology. Musk argued that Nolan’s choices reflect a desire to win awards rather than remain faithful to Homer’s original descriptions.
Musk’s comments follow a recent profile in Time magazine confirming Nyong’o’s dual role as Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra in the film. The casting sparked backlash from conservative commentators, including Matt Walsh, who claimed Nyong’o does not fit the image of Helen and accused Nolan of racial cowardice. Musk supported these views, suggesting that Nolan altered characters’ races to meet perceived awards criteria, despite such rules not influencing casting decisions.
The criticism extends beyond Nyong’o, as Musk also targeted Elliot Page’s casting, mocking his masculinity in several social media posts. Musk and others argued that these casting decisions disrespect Homer’s legacy, with references to Helen as “fair skinned” and “the face that launched a thousand ships” underscoring their point. Musk stated that Nolan had “lost his integrity” with these adaptations. “The Odyssey” is scheduled to debut in theaters soon.