Oscar-winning actor Lupita Nyong'o has faced backlash over her casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. In an interview with Elle, Lupita dismissed the hate, stating that the criticism will exist regardless of her engagement. She emphasized that her interpretation of Helen goes beyond physical appearance, focusing on the character's inner qualities.
Lupita's comments come after a social media storm sparked by the casting of a black woman in a role from ancient Greece. The backlash was fueled by a post from political commentator Matt Walsh, who claimed that Nolan was 'technically talented but a coward' for casting Lupita in the role. Elon Musk reposted the post with an endorsement.
The Odyssey, based on Homer's epic poem, also stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron. The film is scheduled to release on July 17, 2026.
