Lupita Nyong’o Reacts to Helen of Troy Casting Backlash
Last update: May 22, 2026
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Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has addressed the growing backlash surrounding her role as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, reminding critics that the story is rooted in mythology.
Actress Lupita Nyong’o has spoken out after facing criticism over her casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film The Odyssey cbinews.tv reports.
According to cbinews.tv, the Oscar-winning actress defended the decision during an interview with Elle, stressing that the film is based on a mythological tale and reflects a diverse modern world.
Nyong’o, who will portray the legendary beauty whose story sparked the Trojan War in Homer’s ancient Greek epic, said she fully supports Nolan’s vision for the film.
“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 said.
The actress also made it clear that she is not losing sleep over the criticism.
“I’m not spending my time thinking of a defence. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not,” she added.
The controversy erupted shortly after her casting was announced, with critics including tech billionaire Elon Musk questioning the choice of a Black actress for the role.
Musk accused Nolan of “grossly insulting the Greek people” and later claimed the filmmaker was “anti-White” in posts shared on X.
However, Nolan has not publicly responded to the criticism.
Christopher Nolan, widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors, is known for blockbuster hits including Oppenheimer, Dunkirk, Inception, Interstellar and The Dark Knight. He won two Oscars in 2024 for Oppenheimer.
Nyong’o, who won an Academy Award for 12 Years a Slave, has also starred in major films such as Black Panther and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The Odyssey will feature an all-star cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya and Charlize Theron. The film is scheduled for release in cinemas across the UK and US on 17 July.
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