Elon Musk Claims ‘The Odyssey’s Christopher Nolan Cast Lupita Nyong’o As Helen Of Troy Because “He Wants Awards”
Elon Musk is back to bashing The Odyssey and Christopher Nolan‘s decision to cast Lupita Nyong’o in the epic film.
In several new messages on the microblogging platform, the controversial figure took aim at Nolan’s upcoming film, something he has griped about before.
Earlier this year, Nolan confirmed to Time magazine that Nyong’o is not only playing the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Troy, but she is also Helen’s sister, Clytemnestra.
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh took to the Musk-owned platform to attack Nyong’o’s casting, saying, “Not one person on the planet actually thinks that Lupita Nyong’o is ‘the most beautiful woman in the world.’ But Christopher Nolan knows that he would be called racist if he gave’ the most beautiful woman’ role to a white woman. Nolan is technically talented but a coward.”
Musk agreed with that, replying to the post, “True.”
In a second post, Musk replied to a social media user who questioned why some filmmakers “race swap white characters.” Musk replied, saying, “He wants the awards.” The post suggested that Nolan cast Nyong’o in the role to meet the Academy’s inclusion requirements for eligibility for a Best Picture nomination.
This was not the first time that Musk has taken aim at Nolan’s The Odyssey. Earlier this year, when Nyong’o’s casting of Helen was only a rumor, Musk said it was an “insult” to Homer, who described the Helen of Troy character as “fair skinned, blonde, and ‘the face that launched a thousand ships’ because she was s beautiful that men started a war over her.”
Whoopi Goldberg and her View co-hosts discussed the issue during their Hot Topics segment, with the EGOT winner saying, “I don’t know if you realize this, Lupita is also considered one of the world’s most beautiful women. So, I’m not sure what you’re trying to say.”
She also said, “I would suggest looking in a mirror if you have any concerns about people’s looks, if this is where we’re going.”
“Don’t bother to clown me, baby. I know what I look like,” she added. “There’s so many things I want to say to you that are rude and awful, but I won’t do it. But know that I’m thinking it.”
The Odyssey is slated to premiere on July 17, 2026, and is an adaptation of Homer’s epic poem about Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. The film’s cast includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, and Elliot Page, among others.
