Lupita Nyong’o’s casting as Helen in Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ sparks backlash yet drives record ticket demand

Actress Lupita Nyong’o has been cast as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey. The announcement triggered a wave of racist criticism from right‑wing commentators, including Elon Musk and media personalities who claimed the casting rewrote history. Nyong’o responded that she will not defend herself, saying, “I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense.”

Despite the controversy, audience interest has surged. IMAX tickets for the film sold out quickly, causing technical glitches on AMC’s app and on Fandango as fans waited up to an hour to purchase seats. The high demand mirrors a similar sell‑out during pre‑sales the previous year, indicating that the backlash has not dampened public enthusiasm for the movie.