Backlash Against Christopher Nolan’s Upcoming Film
Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, odyssey, is stirring considerable controversy following comments made by Lupita Nyong’o, the actress playing Helen of Troy, during a recent press event. Nyong’o criticized the ancient Greek poet Homer, labeling him as ‘sexist’ for the lack of prominent female characters in his work.
Nolan initially sparked debate with his choice to cast Nyong’o in the role of Helen of Troy. However, things escalated when she expressed surprise upon learning that she would portray “the most beautiful woman in the world,” admitting she was unfamiliar with the legend of the Odyssey before joining the project.
In one of her early interviews, Nyong’o, even as a Yale graduate, confessed, “I had no idea what ‘The Odyssey’ was.” This was, she noted, a bit jarring—a crash course in Greek mythology that felt necessary after taking on the role.
However, her remarks gained attention when a press video surfaced, featuring her calling Homer a “sexist” for not including enough female characters in his stories.
The reaction was swift. Some commentators pointed out that Nyong’o seemed to miss the central elements of the odyssey, which is fundamentally driven by the goddess Athena. One user remarked, “Athena is the one who guides the plot throughout; her influence is everywhere.” They highlighted that the essence of the story revolves around the humility of mortals in the face of divine forces. The antagonist is the male god Poseidon, while Athena serves as guiding strength for the vulnerable characters.
Others expressed that character Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, plays a significant role in the narrative. Furthermore, they noted that even when Odysseus finds himself in the underworld, he recalls stories featuring strong Greek women.
A few on social media questioned the recent surge in Hollywood actresses seeking to lead their own films. Meanwhile, many echoed sentiments that Nyong’o’s comments might be jeopardizing the success of Nolan’s film before its release.
