Nolan’s Odyssey: Backlash Grows as Screenings Get Canceled
Christopher Nolan has canceled all advance screenings of his upcoming film "The Odyssey" for movie influencers, restricting early access only to approved critics. The move has fueled speculation online, with one X user writing that Nolan is "waving the surrender flag" and that the studio knows it has "a financial disaster on their hands."
The backlash centers on several casting decisions. Lupita Nyong'o was cast as Helen of Troy, a character Homer described as having "white arms," prompting criticism that her casting contradicts the source material. Nyong'o defended the film, saying the cast is "representative of the world" and that the story "spans worlds." Elon Musk weighed in on the controversy with two words: "how pathetic."
"The cast is representative of the world" and the story "spans worlds" — Lupita Nyong'o
Nolan also cast transgender actor Elliot Page as Sinus, a warrior who fought alongside Odysseus, and rapper Travis Scott in an unspecified male role. Nolan told Time magazine he cast Scott as a tribute to the idea that the Odyssey was originally passed down as oral poetry, which he compared to rap. Critics online were unconvinced.
Beyond casting, viewers who have seen footage raised concerns about historical accuracy. Social media users flagged that the armor worn by Matt Damon, who plays Odysseus, is more Roman than Greek in style. Tom Holland, playing Telemachus, refers to his father using the word "dad," a piece of modern dialogue that drew particular criticism. One user called the use of contemporary language "the most egregious problem" with the film.
Others have noted that no actors of Greek or Mediterranean descent were cast in major roles. Nolan addressed the broader criticism on Amy Poehler's podcast, saying filmmakers have to balance doing justice to source material while bringing their own interpretation. The film also stars Zendaya as Athena and Anne Hathaway in an undisclosed role.
