The Odyssey star Lupita Nyong’o gives perfect response to racist backlash of her casting

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Lupita Nyong’o is an accomplished actress with an Oscar win and roles in major franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, even lending her voice to animated characters. However, her portrayal of Helen of Troy in The Odyssey – famously known as “the face that launched a thousand ships” – might be her most significant role yet.

The actor will play a double role in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film, portraying both Helen’s sister, Clytemnestra, and Helen of Troy. However, the casting of her as Helen has unfortunately sparked racist reactions online, even before the announcement was officially made.

In a recent interview with ELLE, Lupita Nyong’o addressed criticism surrounding Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of the Greek epic, defending his choices and the film’s diverse cast. She stated, “Our cast reflects the world we live in, and I’m not going to waste time defending it. Criticism will always exist, regardless of whether I respond or not.”

Being involved with The Odyssey is incredible because of its massive scope and the way it takes place across so many different settings. That’s why we’ve assembled such a talented cast – we’re telling a story that feels truly epic for today’s audience.

Nyong’o knows taking on the role of Helen of Troy – famously known as ‘the face that launched a thousand ships’ – is a challenging one.

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Because there are so many different translations and ways to understand Homer’s epic poem, the research could go on forever. She understood that you can’t simply show beauty in a performance; you have to reveal the character and emotions behind it.

What’s great about working with a writer like Chris is that the evidence is right there in their writing. I started my analysis by carefully reading the pages I was given – that’s where I built my understanding from, she explained.

No matter how Lupita Nyong’o tackled the role, Christopher Nolan was highly impressed, commenting that she performed with seeming ease.

He explained that portraying such calm confidence requires intense dedication and practice, especially when conveying the character’s hidden emotions and complexities. He also shared that she’s a phenomenal colleague and he really wanted her to take on the role.

At least we only have two months to wait to see for ourselves.

The movie The Odyssey comes out in theaters on July 17th. The July/August edition of ELLE UK magazine will be available starting June 18th.

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2026-05-22 12:49