From highly anticipated film to boycott calls: How Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' sparked a new 'culture war'

Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, 'Odyssey,' is already embroiled in controversy and facing boycott calls, despite not yet reaching cinemas. The trailer has garnered a starkly negative reaction online, with dislikes vastly outnumbering likes on YouTube, drawing comparisons to the backlash against the 'Snow White' musical.

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My yogurt is Greek-er than this movie

Criticism centers on what audiences perceive as the "replacement" of races and genders in the casting. Complaints suggest a trend where non-white European cultures are presented with historical accuracy and respect, while figures like Anne Boleyn are depicted as African, and Isaac Newton and Amadeus as Asian. The casting of rapper Travis Scott as a poet, which Nolan justified by comparing the epic's oral tradition to modern rap, has also drawn ire. Furthermore, the inclusion of actors like Lupita Nyong'o as Helen and Elliot Page as a character named Sinnon (who does not exist in Homer's 'Odyssey') has ignited a "cultural war."

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The face that emptied a thousand cinemas

Concerns also extend to the film's perceived lack of authenticity, with some viewers questioning the casting of non-Greeks in a film about ancient Greece and the choice of a modern translation by Emily Wilson. The star-studded cast has also raised fears that the focus will shift from the story to the actors themselves. Even Elon Musk weighed in, suggesting Nolan is tailoring the casting to meet diversity requirements for an Oscar.

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Give us more Pedro Pascal as Aphrodite

Despite the pre-release uproar, film critic and writer Đorđe Bajić urges patience. He acknowledges Nolan's significant influence and the popularity of his films, noting that Nolan has been called the most important living director, though Bajić considers this an exaggeration. Bajić emphasizes that Nolan's previous works have been well-received and often cited among the best films of the 21st century. He suggests that while the casting choices have caused revolt, particularly concerning Elliot Page (formerly Ellen Page), it is best to wait and see the final film before passing judgment.

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'Yo daddy ain't comin' home, boy!', Homer in the 8th century BC