Elon Musk has doubled down on dissing Christopher Nolan‘s “The Odyssey” via new X posts and replies that mock the upcoming tentpole for casting Lupita Nyong’o and Elliot Page, the latter of whom previously worked with Nolan on “Inception.” Musk already came out swinging against “The Odyssey” in February amid rumours that Nyong’o would be playing Helen of Troy.
A new Time magazine profile of Nolan, published May 12, confirmed that not only is Nyong’o playing Helen of Troy, aka the most beautiful woman in Greek mythology, but the Oscar winner has a surprise second role as Helen’s sister Clytemnestra, who is married to Agamemnon.
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh used X to insult Nyong’o, writing: “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 supported Walsh’s opinion, replying: “True.” He also wrote on X that Nolan “wants the awards,” which is why he thinks Nolan is changing the races of characters in “The Odyssey.” Musk was replying to a tweet that noted how the Oscars have representation and inclusion standards when it comes to best picture eligibility, although in actuality, those rules have little to do with casting. Established in 2020, to be eligible for a best picture nomination a film must fulfill diversity criteria that includes a combination of casting, subject matter, leadership and departments heads, crew, apprenticeships and/or audience development.
In additional X posts, Musk re-tweeted posts that mocked Page’s masculinity and claimed that Nolan was stomping all over Homer’s grave because of his casting choices.
Back in February when Nyong’o’s role was just a rumor, Musk amplified an X user who claimed that it would be “an insult” to Homer if the actor plays Helen of Troy because the Greek poet described the fictional character as “fair skinned, blonde, and ‘the face that launched a thousand ships’ because she was so beautiful that men started a war over her.” Musk later commented on the post: “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.”
“The Odyssey” opens in theatres July 17.
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From Variety US