Lupita Nyong’o has spoken out about the online trolling she has faced, including from Elon Musk, following her casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey. The 43-year-old actress is part of a star-studded cast that includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Zendaya as Athena, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous.
The film is an adaptation of Homer’s epic tales, The Iliad and The Odyssey, which have been central to Greek mythology for over 2,600 years. In these stories, Helen of Troy is famously known as the “face that launched a thousand ships” after she fled with Paris, a Trojan prince, from her Spartan husband, Menelaus. This act is said to have sparked the legendary Trojan War. According to myth, Helen was considered the most beautiful woman in the world, as declared by Aphrodite.
Despite this, Nyong’o has already encountered a wave of racist comments for being a Black woman in the role. Some critics, including right-wing billionaire Elon Musk, have argued that the casting was inappropriate. Musk reportedly supported right-wing commentator Matt Walsh, who called Nolan a “coward” for not casting a white woman in the role. Musk claimed the filmmaker had “grossly insulted the Greek people” and was an “anti-White racist.”
This reaction has been described as extreme and disproportionate, especially given that the story is based on mythology, which is fictional. As comedian Jimmy Kimmel noted, there are no strict rules in Greek mythology: “This is made up… So it makes no difference to anyone but crazy angry people what color she was.”
In a recent interview, Nyong’o addressed the backlash, expressing her deep honor at landing the role. She emphasized that the story is mythical and that the cast reflects the diversity of the modern world. “I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling,” she said. “The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”
Nyong’o also highlighted that portraying Helen goes beyond physical beauty. She pointed out that, in Greek literature, Helen is a complex character, especially in the works of Euripides, where her story is further explored. One of his plays even takes place in Egypt, where the real Helen is hidden.
Nolan, the director of Tenet, explained his reasoning for casting Nyong’o. He praised her strength and poise, saying they were essential to the character of Helen. “Lupita makes it look effortless,” he added. He also described her as an “incredible person to work with” and admitted he was “desperate for her to do the part.”
The film has already drawn scrutiny, particularly after the release of its trailer. Many viewers have expressed concerns about the Americanization of the story, especially in terms of dialogue. Despite the controversy, the movie is expected to be one of the biggest releases of the year. It adapts one of the most iconic stories in human history, and the high stakes are evident.
The Odyssey is set to premiere in UK cinemas on July 17, 2026.
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