UMVA has learned that Oscar-winning star Lupita Nyong'o has spoken out about the racist trolling she faced over her casting in an upcoming film.
The criticism has been led by right-wing billionaire Elon Musk, who agreed with a right-wing commentator that the film's director, Christopher Nolan, was a 'coward' for not casting a white woman in the role. Musk claimed Nolan had 'grossly insulted the Greek people' and was an 'anti-White racist.'
This backlash is an extremely normal and proportionate reaction to the casting of a fellow Oscar-winning star as a fictional character – daughter of Zeus and Leda – in an ancient text passed down orally. Or is it? As Jimmy Kimmel put it, there are no rules in Greek mythology, 'This is made up … So it makes no difference to anyone but crazy angry people what color she was.'
In a new interview, Nyong'o responded to the volume of backlash. Echoing Kimmel, she said she was 'deeply honoured to land the role, and reminded people: 'This is a mythological story. I'm very supportive of Chris's intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling. Our cast is representative of the world.'
Nyong'o also emphasized that portraying Helen goes beyond beauty and is about unraveling the layers within. She added: '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.'
Nolan himself discussed his reasoning for casting Nyong'o, saying: 'The strength and the poise were so important to the character of Helen. And Lupita makes it look effortless.' He also called her an 'incredible person to work with' and revealed he was 'desperate for her to do the part.'
The movie as a whole is facing plenty of scrutiny, especially after the recent release of the trailer. Many expressed concern over the Americanization of the tale – especially through the dialogue. Tipped to be one of the biggest movies of the year, adapting one of the most iconic stories of all time, it's no surprise the stakes feel high.
The Odyssey comes out in UK cinemas on July 17, 2026. With its star-studded cast and high-profile director, it's clear that this film will be a major event in the world of cinema.
