Elon Musk’s criticism of Lupita Nyong’o’s upcoming role in “The Odyssey” has drawn a sharp response from Alec Baldwin after the tech billionaire questioned the motives behind her casting as Helen of Troy.
Musk previously claimed that director Christopher Nolan’s decision to cast Nyong’o was less about storytelling and more about targeting awards season. To make his argument, the owner of X pointed to the diversity requirements films must usually meet to be considered for Best Picture.
“Saturday Night Live” star Baldwin has mounted an impassioned defense of the Kenyan-born actress, however, insisting she truly fits the role’s legendary beauty.
Musk recently reignited his public criticism of filmmaker Christopher Nolan, taking to his X platform to slam the director’s upcoming epic, “The Odyssey.”
The latest controversy comes after Nolan confirmed in a recent interview with Time Magazine that Nyong’o will play the dual roles of Helen of Troy and her sister, Clytemnestra, in the movie.
Musk made it clear he was unhappy with the casting choice, arguing that the actress does not fit the description of the legendary figure in the source material.
The Tesla boss also referenced the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ updated representation and inclusion standards for Best Picture eligibility.
Alec Baldwin Calls Out Elon Musk Over Lupita Criticism
Seemingly frustrated with Musk’s take on the selection of Nyong’o to play Helen of Troy, Baldwin responded on Instagram with a photo of the actress. “Dear Elon,” he wrote in the caption, “but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world… Alec.”
His comment followed remarks from conservative commentator Matt Walsh, who argued in a post on X that no one genuinely sees Nyong’o as fitting the mythical image of Helen, whose beauty famously sparked the Trojan War.
Musk has also criticized other casting choices connected to the film, including Elliot Page’s role, after initially reacting to rumors that she would play Achilles.
Fans Echo Elon Musk’s Casting Disapproval
When rumors of the casting first surfaced, Musk claimed it would be “an insult” if Nyong’o played Helen of Troy, and even wrote that “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.”
Several online users appeared to agree with his sentiment, with some accusing the filmmaker of deliberately provoking audiences by casting a Black actress in a role they viewed as traditionally white.
“It feels like a humiliation ritual,” one X user wrote, while criticizing Nolan’s casting choices and claiming the filmmaker had gone from acclaimed movies like “Oppenheimer” and “Interstellar” to decisions they found absurd.
Another user was equally dismissive, saying each new casting announcement made them less interested in seeing the film and predicting that “The Odyssey” would flop at the box office.
Christopher Nolan Defends Other ‘Odyssey’ Choices
While Nolan has not directly responded to Musk’s criticism, he has defended some of the creative choices in “The Odyssey” that have also sparked backlash online.
The film is scheduled to hit theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026. According to Radio Times, the trailer set tongues wagging after showing Tom Holland’s Telemachus saying his “dad” would return. Viewers also criticized the armor worn by some characters, with many arguing that it resembled the Batsuit from Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy.
In his Time Magazine profile, the director pushed back on the armor criticism by explaining the historical thinking behind the design.
“There are Mycenaean daggers that are blackened bronze,” he said. “The theory is they probably could have blackened bronze in those days. You take bronze, you add more gold and silver to it, and then use sulfur.”
Nolan Compares ‘The Odyssey’ To ‘Interstellar’
The “Oppenheimer” director also opened up about his overall approach to making the film, comparing it to the process behind “Interstellar.”
“For Interstellar, you’re looking at, ‘What is the best speculation of the future?’ When you’re looking at the ancient past, it’s actually the same thing,” Nolan said. “‘What is the best speculation and how can I use that to create a world?’”
He added that while he does not expect every viewer to agree with every choice, his goal was to make sure the film still feels carefully considered.
“Hopefully they’ll enjoy the film, even if they don’t agree with everything. We had a lot of scientists complain about ‘Interstellar.’ But you just don’t want people to think that you took it on frivolously,” Nolan explained.