Lupita Nyong’o Addresses Racist Backlash Over The Odyssey Casting

The Oscar winner is among the star-studded cast of Nolan’s upcoming epic, in which she’s set to play the dual roles of Helen Of Troy and her half-sister Clytemnestra.

Over the last few months, Lupita’s casting in these roles has been met with some controversy among far-right critics, exacerbated by comments from conservative political commentator Matt Walsh and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who criticised the decision to cast a Black woman as characters from Ancient Greece.

During a new interview with Elle magazine, Lupita reminded her racist critics that The Odyssey is “ mythological story”.

“I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with [The Odyssey] and with the version of this story that he is telling,” she continued.

“Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defence. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”

She also enthused: “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 and the film’s production company Universal are yet to respond to the backlash.

The Odyssey is due to hit cinemas in July, with Matt Damon taking on the lead role of Odysseus.

Joining him in the movie will be Nolan regulars like Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson and Elliot Page, as well as Tom Holland, Zendaya, Mia Goth, Travis Scott and Oscar winner Charlize Theron.

Nolan is already dismissing critics who’ve taken issue with the historical accuracy in his latest film, insisting: “Hopefully they’ll enjoy the film, even if they don’t agree with everything.

“We had a lot of scientists complain about Interstellar. But you just don’t want people to think that you took it on frivolously.”

Read Lupita Nyong’o’s full interview in Elle magazine here.

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