Content Advisory: This article discusses race, transgender identity, casting backlash, and online political criticism. Reader discretion is advised.
Elon Musk has found his next Hollywood fight, and this one is aimed straight at Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’.
The Tesla CEO is criticizing Nolan’s upcoming epic over the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy. Musk has argued on X that the decision is disrespectful to Greek cultural heritage, and he has also suggested the film may be chasing inclusion standards tied to awards eligibility.
The backlash started earlier this year after reports surfaced that Nyong’o would play the mythological figure. Musk posted on Jan. 31 that “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.”
Elon Musk Slams Lupita Nyong’o Casting
Musk recently reposted an X post featuring Nyong’o in her Oscar-winning role as Patsy in ’12 Years A Slave’. He agreed with another user who called Nolan a “coward” for casting her. The post drew major attention online, reportedly pulling in tens of millions of views.
Musk also replied “true” to a post claiming Nolan was “racist against the Greek people and their cultural heritage.” That line quickly turned the casting debate into another culture-war fight. Supporters of the movie pushed back, arguing that Helen of Troy is a mythological figure and has been played by non-Greek actresses before.
One user pointed to Diane Kruger, a German actress, who played Helen in the 2004 movie ‘Troy’. Eartha Kitt also portrayed Helen in ‘An Evening With Orson Welles’ in 1950.
Elliot Page Rumor Adds More Backlash
Musk also criticized reports that Elliot Page could play Achilles, calling the possible casting “one of the dumbest and twisted things I’ve ever heard.”
Page came out as a transgender man in 2020. His role in ‘The Odyssey’ has not been confirmed. Musk also reposted an AI-generated image mocking Page in a Greek soldier costume. That move added another layer of criticism, with many accusing Musk of turning the movie into a political target before its release.
Nolan has confirmed Nyong’o will play both Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. Page’s casting remains unconfirmed.
Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Already Has Huge Names
The movie is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 17. The cast includes major names such as Zendaya, Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, and Anne Hathaway.
That lineup alone would have made ‘The Odyssey’ one of the most watched releases of the year. Musk’s public criticism has now turned it into something bigger: a casting fight, a culture-war debate, and a test of how much online backlash can shape a blockbuster before the first trailer even arrives.
For Nolan, the film is an ancient epic. For Musk, it has become another argument about Hollywood, representation, and who gets to play mythological icons.
