Elon Musk slams Nolan's 'The Odyssey' casting choices

Elon Musk repeatedly used X (formerly Twitter) to denounce director Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey, claiming the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy (and as Clytemnestra) and the inclusion of Elliot Page as Achilles is driven by a desire for Oscars and diversity quotas. Musk echoed conservative commentator Matt Walsh, calling the casting “hypocritical,” saying Nolan “lost his integrity,” and asserting the director “wants the awards.” He also mocked other cast members, suggesting they serve inclusion standards.

The Odyssey is a $250 million IMAX‑focused adaptation of Homer's epic, slated for release on 17 July 2026. The star‑studded lineup includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and others. The controversy has sparked a social‑media backlash, with accusations of racism leveled at Musk and debate over artistic license versus historical fidelity. Nolan has defended his choices, noting that mythic stories are not bound by strict historical accuracy and that casting reflects a multi‑ethnic ancient Mediterranean world.