Elon Musk Upset Over Alleged Black Helen of Troy Casting in ‘The Odyssey,’ Says Christopher Nolan Has “Lost Integrity”

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Christopher Nolan‘s new movie, The Odyssey, is generating buzz and discussion even though it doesn’t come out until July 17th. The film, a fresh take on the classic story of Homer’s Odyssey and filmed in immersive IMAX, has drawn attention due to questions about the part Lupita Nyong’o will play.

There’s been speculation that Lupita Nyong’o will portray Helen of Troy, the famous character from Greek mythology whose beauty was believed to have sparked the Trojan War.

The discussion caught the attention of Elon Musk, who shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), the social media platform he owns. He responded to a user who described Helen as conventionally beautiful – fair-skinned, blonde, and so captivating that her beauty was said to have sparked the Trojan War – by stating, “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.”

Chris Nolan has lost his integrity

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2026

Although there’s been talk, Universal Pictures and Syncopy haven’t yet confirmed Lupita Nyong’o’s part in the film. Some sources now believe she might actually play a different character, possibly Athena or Clytemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon.

The film The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, who embarks on a difficult journey home following the Trojan War, encountering fantastical obstacles along the way. This marks the third collaboration between Damon and director Christopher Nolan, following their work on Interstellar and Oppenheimer.

I’m so excited about the cast they’ve assembled for this movie! Tom Holland is playing Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway will be Penelope – perfect casting, honestly. Zendaya’s role is being kept under wraps, which is intriguing. We’ve also got Robert Pattinson as the suitor Antinous, and Charlize Theron as Circe, both amazing choices. And get this – Jon Bernthal is Menelaus! It’s a really diverse group with some unexpected faces like Travis Scott and Mia Goth joining John Leguizamo and Elliot Page. It’s shaping up to be a truly stellar ensemble.

Christopher Nolan’s new film was shot completely using IMAX cameras. See the trailer for The Odyssey and catch it in theaters on July 17th and 26th.

— The Odyssey Movie (@odysseymovie) December 22, 2025

Lupita Nyong’o has had a busy few months, appearing in the film A Quiet Place: Day One and providing her voice for an animated character in The Wild Robot.

The movie is being filmed in locations around the world with cutting-edge IMAX cameras. Director Nolan has described it as a grand, exciting action adventure that will feel as big and powerful as the first story. Despite some discussion about who’s in the cast, people are still very excited about the film, because Nolan is known for making movies that look amazing and make you think.

People are still debating whether casting Nyong’o is true to the original story’s history or myths, or if it’s okay to update the characters for today’s audiences. Either way, she brings a lot of talent to an already strong cast.

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2026-02-01 22:45