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The Guardian World1 min read
Lupita Nyong'o rejects criticism of Helen of Troy role
TL;DR
Lupita Nyong'o defends her casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey amid criticism over her race. She emphasizes that the story is mythological and supports the film's diverse casting.
Key points
- Lupita Nyong'o cast as Helen of Troy in The Odyssey
- Criticism includes comments from Elon Musk
- Nyong'o emphasizes the mythological nature of the story
- She supports the film's diverse casting choices
- Criticism persists regardless of her engagement
Mentioned in this story
Lupita Nyong'oElon MuskChristopher Nolan
The Odyssey
Actress Lupita Nyong'o has told people who have criticised her casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey to remember that "this is a mythological story".
The Oscar winner will play Helen, whose beauty famously "launched a thousand ships" and resulted in the Trojan war, according to Homer's ancient Greek legend.
But her casting has now sparked a culture war too, with critics including Elon Musk claiming it's wrong to cast a black actress as the character in Nolan's hotly anticipated movie.
Speaking to Elle, Nyong'o responded: "I'm very supportive of Chris's intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling. Our cast is representative of the world."
She added: "I'm not spending my time thinking of a defence. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not."
Nyong'o also told the outlet: "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."
The criticism erupted after Nyongo's casting was revealed last week.
Musk said director Nolan has "grossly insulted the Greek people", and replied "true" to a meme of a man supposedly dancing on Homer's grave.
The X owner wrote: "I agree that she [Nyong'o] is beautiful, but casting a Black woman to play a White woman in a foundational work of European literature is no more right than casting a White man to play Shaka Zulu!"
Shaka Zulu was a famed leader of the Zulu nation.
Musk renewed his attack on Friday, writing on X: "Chris Nolan is an anti-White racist."
Nolan has not responded to the criticism.
The Briton, one of the most celebrated film-makers in Hollywood, has directed and written the new interpretation of Homer's epic poem.
Nolan won two Oscars in 2024 for his last release, Oppenheimer, and also is known for films including Dunkirk, Inception, Interstellar and The Dark Knight.
Nyong'o won an Oscar in 2014 for 12 Years a Slave, and has also starred in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Black Panther.
The Odyssey will also star Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya and Charlize Theron, and will be released in cinemas in the US and UK on 17 July.
Q&A
Why is Lupita Nyong'o's casting as Helen of Troy controversial?
Her casting has sparked criticism, including from Elon Musk, who argues it's inappropriate to cast a black actress in the role.
What did Lupita Nyong'o say in response to the criticism?
Nyong'o stated that she supports Christopher Nolan's vision for the film and believes the cast reflects the diversity of the world.
What is the significance of Helen of Troy in mythology?
Helen of Troy is a central figure in Greek mythology, known for her beauty that led to the Trojan War, as described in Homer's legend.
