Lupita Nyong’o is responding to the backlash over her casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which has included criticism from Elon Musk and others online.
Nyong’o plays two roles in the film: Helen of Troy, the daughter of Zeus and Leda, and Helen’s sister, Clytemnestram, with a first look revealed.
The casting has sparked debate because Helen is often described as “the face that launched a thousand ships,” with some critics taking issue with Nolan casting Nyong’o as the Greek mythological figure.
Musk has been among the loudest voices criticizing the casting on X, tying it to complaints about DEI and Hollywood race-swapping.
Lupita Nyong’o Responds To The Odyssey Backlash
In an interview with Elle, Nyong’o pushed back on the idea that Helen should be reduced to physical appearance.
“You can’t perform beauty,” Nyong’o said. “I want to know who a character is. What is beyond beauty? What is beyond looks?”
Nyong’o said the story’s history gives actors plenty to work with, but her approach started with Nolan’s script.
“The good thing about working with a writer like Chris is that it’s on the page. The investigation starts with the pages you’re given. That’s what I based it on,” she said.
After the casting was announced, Nyong’o faced criticism over the decision to cast her as a Greek character.
“This is a mythological story,” she said.
Nyong’o Says The Odyssey Cast Represents The World
Nyong’o also defended Nolan’s larger approach to the film and said she supports his version of the story.
“I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling,” she said. “Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”
Nyong’o added that The Odyssey is operating on a massive scale, which is reflected in the casting.
“It’s quite something to be a part of The Odyssey, because it is so grand. It spans worlds. So that’s why the cast is what it is. We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time,” she said.
Elon Musk Among Critics Of The Casting
Musk has criticized Nolan’s casting choices for The Odyssey on X, including Nyong’o as Helen of Troy. Musk has argued the role should not have been race-swapped and suggested Nolan was chasing awards or DEI approval.
The comments added fuel to the online backlash.
Nyong’o Had To Crash Course Greek Mythology
Nyong’o also admitted she was not familiar with The Odyssey before landing the role.
“I really had no idea what The Odyssey was,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh, snap, I don’t know the first thing about this.’”
She said the role sent her straight into the source material.
“So it was a crash course. I picked up the books and read them immediately. I have this film to thank for my Greek mythological education,” she said.
Nyong’o read The Odyssey and listened to The Iliad audiobook, which she praised because Audra McDonald reads it.
“It is the best audiobook I have ever listened to,” Nyong’o said.
About The Odyssey
The Odyssey is written and directed by Christopher Nolan and is based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic.
The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, and Travis Scott.
The Odyssey opens in theaters on July 17, 2026, from Universal Pictures.
