Elon Musk condemns casting choices in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey

Elon Musk used his X account to denounce the casting for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, targeting Lupita Nyong’o’s role as Helen of Troy and the inclusion of trans‑actor Elliot Page. Musk echoed commentator Matt Walsh’s claim that “no one actually thinks Lupita Nyong’o is the most beautiful woman in the world,” adding that “Chris Nolan is a coward” and that the director is “literally stepping on Homer’s grave.” He argued that Nolan’s choices betray the myth’s original description of Helen as a “blonde, fair‑haired” figure and suggested the film’s casting serves award‑driven tokenism. The film is scheduled to open in cinemas on 17 July.

Musk’s comments sparked further debate online, with supporters praising his stance on traditional casting and critics accusing him of misogyny and racism. The controversy centers on broader industry discussions about diversity, representation standards for Oscar eligibility, and the creative freedom of filmmakers.