While accompanying Donald Trump on his high-profile visit to China, Elon Musk found time to blast director Christopher Nolan over the upcoming epic, The Odyssey. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Tesla CEO mocked Nolan’s casting choices, reposting viral critiques of the film’s “modern” sensibilities.
Musk’s primary target was the casting of Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy. Musk suggested the move was a cynical grab for accolades, stating Nolan chose her simply because he “wants the awards.”
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 13, 2026
“Christopher Nolan peeing on Homer’s grave”
In one particularly provocative post, Musk retweeted a video of a pastor dancing in church with the caption: “Christopher Nolan peeing on Homer’s grave.”
And grossly insulted the Greek people. Shame on him. https://t.co/QcntOY7lmJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 13, 2026
The controversy doesn’t stop with Helen. Musk also amplified rumors regarding Elliot Page’s involvement, fueling a firestorm over the film’s “all-star but divisive” cast. This isn’t Musk’s first strike; even before Nyong’o was confirmed, he claimed Nolan had “lost his integrity.”
Set for a July 17 premiere, The Odyssey is already polarizing audiences. While the cast is stacked—Matt Damon as Odysseus, Robert Pattinson as the villainous Antinous, and Zendaya as Athena—the latest trailer faced a backlash for its modern dialogue and historical liberties. Even Anne Hathaway’s Penelope hasn’t escaped the internet’s reach, with some critics distractingly focusing on her “frozen” appearance.
Despite the noise, Nolan confirms the epic will be a tighter experience than Oppenheimer, clocking in at under 180 minutes.
Related: What Nolan’s Odyssey Gets Wrong About Ancient Greece
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