Lupita Nyong’o responds to rightwing criticism of The Odyssey: ‘Our cast is representative of the world’ | Lupita Nyong’o
Oscar-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o has responded to far-right criticism of her role in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey.
In the big-budget film, which will be released in July, the star plays Helen of Troy alongside actors such as Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Zendaya.
In a new interview with by handThe 12 Years a Slave actor was asked about criticism from the likes of Elon Musk about a black actor playing a legendary character. Infamous tech billionaire accused Nolan backed out of hiring “DEI” because he wanted a reward.
Nolan’s last film, Oppenheimer, with a predominantly white cast, won seven Oscars, including best picture.
“It’s a mythological story,” Nyong’o said, before saying: “I’m very supportive of Chris’ intentions on this and the version of the story he’s telling. Our cast represents the world. I don’t spend my time thinking of a defense. Criticism is going to be there whether I agree with it or not.”
He later added: “It’s great to be a part of Odyssey, because it’s so big. It spans worlds. That’s why the cast is the way it is. We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time.”
Jimmy Kimmel earlier this week ridicule While he told Musk to “stay in his lane” for his comments, Alec Baldwin also came to Nyong’o’s defense: don’t write On Instagram: “Dear Elon… but she is the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Whoopi Goldberg also criticized Musk on The View. “You don’t actually need to go to the movie,” he said. “I don’t know why you feel the need to talk about this, and if you’re concerned about people’s appearance, I suggest you look in the mirror if that’s where we’re going.”
Nyong’o, whose post-Oscar movies included hit films such as Us, Black Panther, The Wild Robot and A Quiet Place: Day One, also stated in the interview that the majority of the roles offered to her after her win were enslaved women; he described it as “disappointing but not surprising”.
He added in the interview: “I can’t waste my time thinking about all the people who still don’t love me. You’ll find representatives who believe in you and you’ll get on with it. I want to believe that I’m built to last.”
Odyssey, whose budget is reported to be 250 million dollars, will be released on July 17.
