Lupita Nyong’o Defends $250 Million Odyssey Casting as Musk Renews DEI Attack
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 21
Lupita Nyong’o Defends $250 Million Odyssey Casting as Musk Renews DEI Attack
7 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 21
Lupita Nyong’o said she backs Christopher Nolan’s vision for The Odyssey and will not “spend my time thinking of a defense” after far-right criticism of her casting as Helen of Troy.
Elon Musk had attacked the role as a “DEI” hire, arguing a Black actor should not play the mythic character in Nolan’s adaptation, which opens July 17.
Nyong’o told Elle the film’s cast is “representative of the world” because the story is grand and “spans worlds,” calling it an epic narrative for the present moment.
Jimmy Kimmel, Alec Baldwin and Whoopi Goldberg have publicly defended her this week, mocking Musk’s comments and urging critics simply not to watch the film.
Nyong’o also said many post-Oscar offers after 12 Years a Slave were for enslaved women, underscoring the narrower industry patterns behind the latest backlash.
Will Christopher Nolan's diverse vision for 'The Odyssey' redefine the modern blockbuster epic?
Why does recasting ancient myths for modern audiences spark such intense debate over authenticity?
The Odyssey 2026: Nolan’s Blockbuster Faces Casting Backlash, DEI Misinformation, and Box Office Hype
Overview
Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic, *The Odyssey*, set for release on July 17, 2026, has sparked both excitement and heated debate in the film world. Following his Oscar-winning success with *Oppenheimer*, Nolan announced his collaboration with Universal and is taking a meticulous approach, engaging scientists to ensure historical accuracy. He aims to create a believable ancient world through thoughtful speculation, blending authenticity with creative vision. The film’s scale is highlighted by Charlize Theron’s involvement, and anticipation continues to build as audiences await Nolan’s unique interpretation of this classic tale.