The Odyssey finally hits cinemas on Friday. The long-awaited film brings Homer’s famous epic to the big screen.
British filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs the movie. He has created major blockbusters such as Interstellar, Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy.
Now, Nolan presents his own version of Odysseus’ legendary journey.
The film has attracted plenty of attention before its release. However, casting debates and production controversies have added to the interest.
A nightmare to film
Nolan described the production as a challenging but rewarding experience.
“This movie was a nightmare to film… but in all the right ways, and we had an incredible time filming,” Nolan told Indiewire in April.
American actor Matt Damon stars as Odysseus. He plays the king of Ithaca as he travels home after the 10-year Trojan War.
Odysseus faces dangerous enemies during his journey. He also loses every member of his crew along the way.
Eventually, the hero reaches Ithaca. He hopes to reunite with his son, Telemachus, and his wife, Penelope.
Penelope has faced pressure to remarry. She believes her husband has died during his long absence.
‘The Odyssey’ sparks casting debates online
Casting has become one of the biggest talking points around The Odyssey.
Nolan chose Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o to play Helen of Troy. The decision attracted criticism online.
Nyong’o responded to the debate by asking critics to remember that “this is a mythological story”.
“Our cast is representative of the world,” Nyong’o added.
She also addressed criticism surrounding rapper Travis Scott and actor Elliot Page.
Page, a transgender actor, also attracted attention after joining the cast. Some fans expected him to play Achilles after earlier rumours linked him to the role.
The production later confirmed Page as Greek warrior Sinon.
Not just about the actors
The casting debate has attracted comments from several public figures.
Tech mogul Elon Musk also discussed Nolan’s casting choices. Musk claimed that the director was “wanting the awards”.
However, the actors are not the only source of debate.
The film’s first trailer arrived in December. Viewers quickly focused on the costumes and production design.
Some viewers also questioned Odysseus’ boat. They compared its design to a “Viking ship”.
That reaction surprised some fans. The film tells a story rooted in Ancient Greece, so viewers expected a different visual style.
Despite the criticism, curiosity around The Odyssey remains high. Nolan’s reputation, the famous source material and the star-studded cast have all created major interest.
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