Tesla chief executive officer (CEO) Elon Musk took aim at the casting for director Christopher Nolan's new film "The Odyssey," lighting a fierce blaze in Hollywood's "PC (political correctness) war."
According to the Daily Mail on the 16th (local time), Elon Musk (54) slammed Christopher Nolan for casting black Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o and transgender actor Elliot Page in the Greek epic "The Odyssey," saying, "He wants the awards."
Earlier, Christopher Nolan officially announced in an interview with Time magazine that Lupita Nyong'o would play a dual role as Helen of Troy, the "most beautiful woman" in Greek mythology, and her sister Clytemnestra.
Conservative political commentator Matt Walsh poured out harsh criticism on social media, saying, "Nobody on earth thinks Lupita Nyong'o is the 'most beautiful woman in the world.' Nolan is a coward who was afraid of being labeled a racist if he gave the role to a white woman." Musk replied with comments such as "True" and "Hollywood's rotten hypocrisy," strongly agreeing. When a user asked, "Why are you so obsessed with changing the race of white characters?" Musk said, "Because they want the awards," and claimed, "Christopher Nolan has lost his craftsmanship and honesty."
Musk's barbs were also directed at transgender actor Elliot Page. When rumors circulated that Page would play the legendary hero Achilles, Musk expressed disgust, calling it "one of the dumbest and most twisted ideas I've ever heard."
Even after it was confirmed that Elliot Page would play Elpenor, the youngest sailor of Odysseus, rather than Achilles, Musk continued mocking moves that drew criticism inside and outside Hollywood, sharing posts that ridiculed and denied Page's masculinity.
With repeated attacks from Hollywood heavyweight Elon Musk, "The Odyssey" has become the center of unprecedented casting controversy and debates even before its release. Some have voiced concerns about the radical casting choices that differ from the original depiction, while others have expressed strong anticipation for Nolan's unique interpretation and the synergy of the film's accomplished actors.
Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan's Greek epic "The Odyssey," in which Matt Damon is expected to star as King Odysseus, is set to open in theaters on July 17.
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