Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: Cast, Controversies, and Everything to Know
Christopher Nolan’s $250 million action-fantasy epic “The Odyssey” arrives in theaters July 17, featuring a cast led by Matt Damon and Lupita Nyong’o. The film, shot entirely on IMAX 70mm, has faced online controversy regarding casting choices and historical accuracy, while early ticket sales caused delays on the AMC and Fandango platforms.
Variety reported that moviegoers waited up to an hour to purchase tickets due to delays with the AMC ticketing app. Fandango’s website also experienced lag times during the initial sales period.
Why is there controversy over the casting of “The Odyssey”?
The casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy sparked backlash from right-wing commentators. Conservative commentator Matt Walsh posted on X that casting a black woman in the role is a double standard compared to how studios would handle a white woman cast in a similar role in Africa.
Elon Musk agreed with Walsh’s sentiments. HuffPost reporter Brittany Wong wrote in May that Musk believes in the “great replacement theory,” a white nationalist conspiracy theory suggesting white populations are being replaced by nonwhite immigrants.
Nyong’o told Elle that the cast is representative of the world and that the story is mythological. Nolan defended the choice to Time, stating Nyong’o’s “strength and poise” were essential for the character of Helen.
Who is playing Achilles in the film?
The studio and director have not confirmed who will play Achilles, though rumors suggest Elliot Page has been cast. Page is listed on the film’s IMDb casting page and appears in the trailer asking Odysseus, “Who’s looking after your wife and son?”
Elon Musk called the potential casting “the dumbest and most twisted things I’ve heard.” Newsmax host Rob Finnerty also criticized the speculation, referring to Page as “a girl who dresses as a guy” in a rant on his show.
Alternative speculation suggests Page may instead portray Elpenor, a crew member who drowns and later meets Odysseus in the underworld. Page previously worked with Nolan on “Inception.”
How did Christopher Nolan justify the film’s modern dialogue and costumes?
Critics on Reddit complained that the American accents and modern language in the trailer felt “off-putting.” One character, Antinous, describes Telemachus as a “sniveling bastard” in the preview.
Classicist Emily Wilson told IGN that using plain English is not less authentic than using 19th-century language, as neither is closer to Homeric Greek. Wilson was the first woman to translate the poem into plain language in 2018, according to the New York Times.
Regarding costume design, some social media users told IGN that the armor for Benny Safdie’s character, Agamemnon, resembles Batman’s gear. Nolan told Time that costume designer Ellen Mirojnick used expensive materials and blackened bronze to communicate Agamemnon’s elevated status.
What role does Travis Scott play in the movie?
Nolan confirmed to Time magazine that rapper Travis Scott is cast as a bard. Scott appears in a TV spot reciting lines about the walls of Troy burning.
Nolan stated he cast Scott to create a nod toward the idea that the story was handed down as oral poetry, which he described as analogous to rap. Scott previously wrote the theme song for Nolan’s film “Tenet.”
Where can audiences see the film in IMAX 70mm?
While the film was shot on IMAX 70mm, limited theater availability may restrict viewing options. According to IMAX’s website, only 24 theaters in the United States are showing the film in the 70mm format.
Some IMAX tickets sold out a full year before the release date. Nolan has previously used large formats for “The Dark Knight,” “Interstellar,” “Dunkirk,” and “Oppenheimer.”
What may happen next?
The studio could release a formal casting announcement to clarify Elliot Page’s specific role as the July 17 date approaches. Further ticket-buying volatility may occur if demand continues to exceed the capacity of the 24 available 70mm theaters.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is “The Odyssey” released in theaters?
The film is scheduled for release on July 17.
Who is cast as the main characters?
Matt Damon plays Odysseus, Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, Tom Holland plays Telemachus, and Zendaya plays Athena.
What is the budget of the film?
The film has a budget of $250 million.
Do you think modern language helps or hurts the experience of watching an ancient epic?