Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has become the director’s biggest box office debut, beating even his 2023 blockbuster Oppenheimer — but the record-breaking opening has been overshadowed by a furious debate in Greece over the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy.
The film, which stars Matt Damon as King Odysseus, follows the epic’s outline of the hero’s perilous 10-year journey home from the Trojan War. It was partially shot in Greece at iconic sites including the Palace of Nestor in Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Methoni Castle and Acrocorinth, and received €6.5 million in subsidies from the Greek state out of a total budget of €250 million.
“Nolan's The Odyssey sets box office record while Greeks clash over casting of black actress as Helen.”
But the choice of Nyong’o — a Mexican-Kenyan-American actress — to play Helen, whose abduction by Paris triggered the war, has stirred anger in Homer’s homeland. SpaceX boss Elon Musk posted on X: “Chris Nolan desecrated Homer and groveled on his knees just to meet the woke rules required to win an Oscar. What a worm.”
Greek media have hosted extensive debates, with historians, directors and film critics arguing for and against the casting. Those in favour argue that Greek epics are part of Western civilisation and belong to everyone, and that creative freedom is allowed with myths. Opponents point out that Homer’s description of Helen — “beautiful hair”, “beautiful face”, “elegant style of dress” and “white arms” — leaves her race open to the reader’s imagination, but note the lack of Greek actors in the cast.
The controversy shows no sign of easing, even as Nolan’s adaptation draws audiences worldwide. For Greeks, who encounter Homer’s epic from the seventh grade, the question of who gets to tell their stories remains as explosive as ever.
