The Odyssey (2026)

[Leisher]

Christopher Nolan's latest is causing some controversy over casting.
1. Elliot Page is rumored to be playing Achilles. I put a tweet of what that will look like below the trailer.
2. Lupita Nyong'o has been officially confirmed to play Helen of Troy—and her sister, Clytemnestra. Helen of Troy was described as the "most beautiful woman in the world". She's also Greek. No offense to Lupita, but her face isn't launching 1000 ships and no Greek has ever had anything close to her skin tone.
3. Nolan was adamant that the score not use an orchestra because they didn't exist at the time, and he wanted realism. (Insert the "Really?" Negan meme...) However, he cast Travis Scott (who got people killed in real life) as a bard in the film because:

“I cast him because I wanted to nod towards the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap," Nolan said.

BTW, these casting choices had been mostly hidden. I'm sure they were done before the opinions of society started changing, but even at peak wokeness, the first two choices are bewildering.

I don't think these controversies will be enough to sink the film because A) Nolan B) The Odyssey C) All the other big name stars. However, it will be interesting if it gets blamed if the box office isn't as big as hoped.

[TheCatt]

Lupita Nyong'o has been officially confirmed to play Helen of Troy—and her sister, Clytemnestra. Helen of Troy was described as the "most beautiful woman in the world".

They have Zendaya RIGHT THERE IN THE FILM.

Elliot Page is rumored to be playing Achilles. I put a tweet of what that will look like below the trailer.

You know Achilles is dead in the Odyssey, right? This isn't the Iliad. Achilles is notably a shell of his former self in the underworld.

[Leisher]

They have Zendaya RIGHT THERE IN THE FILM.

I wonder if that would have made the internet more of less pissed? I would have enjoyed it. Again, no offense to Lupita, but Zendaya is way better looking.

You know Achilles is dead in the Odyssey, right? This isn't the Iliad. Achilles is notably a shell of his former self in the underworld.

That's a good point. Perhaps Nolan is playing that up, but Google says he was still physically imposing:

In The Odyssey, Achilles is depicted as a legendary, towering figure, known as the "fleet-footed" and greatest warrior among the Greeks. Appearing in the Underworld, he is characterized by his former golden/blonde hair, extreme physical prowess, and immense beauty, often linked to an imposing, lion-like appearance

BTW, I'm not offended about Nolan's thinking about why he cast Travis Scott, I just think he could have found a better human being.

Oh, and the scene with the giants (might not be in the linked trailer) is being mocked because of their armor and Nolan's insistence upon realism. I'm not an armor person, but apparently there's something wrong with what the giants wear?

[TheCatt]

Perhaps Nolan is playing that up, but Google says he was still physically imposing:

Fair, it's been a loooooooooooong time since I've read it.

[Leisher]

Me too. I'm pretty sure high school was the only time I went through them.

[TheCatt]

Me too. I'm pretty sure high school was the only time I went through them.

Same.

[Leisher]

FYI, saw a video discussing this controversy tonight and heard a pretty good explanation for the casting: The Oscars.

The Academy's new rules say you must have DEI bullshit in your film or it will not be considered for an Oscar. Not sure there's a better example of how Hollywood prefers pushing agendas over reality?

No proof that that is 100% the reason for the castings, but it is logical.