Christopher Nolan has finally confirmed that Lupita Nyong’o will play dual roles in his upcoming epic The Odyssey, ending months of speculation surrounding her casting.
In an interview with Time, Nolan revealed that the Kenyan Hollywood actress will play Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world described in Greek mythology as “the face that launched a thousand ships” and whose abduction sparked the Trojan War. Helen is married to King Menelaus, played by Jon Bernthal. Nyong’o also plays Helen’s sister Clytemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon (Benny Safdie).
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Rumours surrounding Nyong’o’s role began circulating after the film’s cast was announced in late 2025, sparking debate online and backlash from some users on platforms such as Reddit and X. Among the most prominent critics has been Elon Musk, who claimed in a February post on X that Nolan had “lost his integrity” if he cast Nyong’o as Helen of Troy. Following Nolan’s confirmation, Musk renewed his criticism, alleging that the Oppenheimer director made the casting choice because he “wants awards.”
The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, and follows his perilous journey home after the Trojan War as he attempts to reunite with his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway). The star-studded cast also includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron.
In a 2025 interview with CNN, Nyong’o spoke about how Hollywood repeatedly offered her variations of the role she played in 12 Years a Slave following her Oscar win, and how she struggled to secure more diverse opportunities afterwards.
Her recent screen work includes voicing the quirky robot Roz in the animated sci-fi film The Wild Robot in 2024. She is also known for her performances in Black Panther and Us, where she played dual roles as Adelaide and her tethered counterpart Red.
The Odyssey is set to release in cinemas on 17 July 2026.
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