Elon Musk Loses It Over Rumored Lupita Nyong’o Role In ‘The Odyssey’

February 5, 2026

Elon Musk sparked controversy by criticizing filmmaker Christopher Nolan on social media over unconfirmed rumors that Lupita Nyong'o might play Helen of Troy in an upcoming Odyssey adaptation. Musk claimed Nolan had abandoned his integrity after engaging with posts arguing that casting a Black actress for the traditionally blonde, fair-skinned character would dishonor Homer's original work. The View hosts, including Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin, condemned Musk's remarks, with Goldberg defending Nyong'o's beauty and Hostin accusing Musk of promoting white supremacist ideologies.

Who is affected

Lupita Nyong'o (actress at center of unconfirmed casting speculation)
Christopher Nolan (filmmaker criticized by Musk)
Elon Musk (facing backlash for his comments)
Federal employees (previously affected by Musk's government efficiency program)
Taxpayers (who lost an estimated $21.7 billion from Musk's DOGE efforts)
Social media users and critics responding to the controversy

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. Past actions are mentioned (Musk posted criticism, The View hosts responded), but no current continuous actions are stated.

Why it matters

This controversy highlights ongoing debates about representation in Hollywood, particularly regarding casting choices for historically or mythologically described characters. It demonstrates the influence of high-profile figures like Musk in amplifying cultural debates and reveals tensions around racial casting decisions. The incident also raises questions about credibility and hypocrisy, given Musk's own controversial track record with government spending. Additionally, it underscores how unverified speculation can trigger significant public disputes about diversity, beauty standards, and artistic freedom in filmmaking.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle