Studio Cancels Influencer Screenings for Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Amid Backlash Over Casting

Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of “The Odyssey” is generating controversy ahead of its July 17 theatrical release, with criticism centered on a series of casting decisions and Universal’s decision to cancel influencer screenings of the film.Universal has confirmed it will not hold “word-of-mouth” screenings for the film — a move that has fueled speculation about the studio’s confidence in the project. Influencers who attend press junkets will still see the film in advance, but the targeted pre-release influencer strategy has been scrapped entirely, according to reports.“Christopher Nolan has cancelled all screenings of The Odyssey with movie influencers,” one X user wrote. “He is only allowing approved critics to see it in advance. He is waving the surrender flag. They know they have a financial disaster on their hands.”None other than one-time trillionaire Elon Musk chimed in with a “how pathetic.”The decision comes at a time when audiences are growing more skeptical about the relationship between studio marketing departments and social media influencers, following several high-profile controversies involving suspiciously enthusiastic influencer reviews.Casting has proven equally divisive. Mr. Nolan has assembled a star-studded ensemble featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest names — Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Charlize Theron as Calypso, Zendaya as Athena, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous. However, several choices within that lineup have drawn sharp criticism online.Perhaps the most discussed is Mr. Nolan’s casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy. Critics have pointed to Homer’s original text, which describes Helen as having “white arms,” arguing that Ms. Nyong’o’s African heritage contradicts the character’s classical description. Ms. Nyong’o has pushed back on the criticism. “I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense,” she told Elle magazine. “The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not. It’s quite something to be a part of ‘The Odyssey’, because it is so grand. It spans worlds. So that’s why the cast is what it is. We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time.”Also raising eyebrows is Mr. Nolan’s decision to cast transgender actor Elliot Page as Sinon, a warrior who fought alongside Odysseus during the Trojan War, but who is not actually in “The Odyssey,” but rather appears in Virgil’s “Aeneid.” Rapper Travis Scott also plays an undisclosed role. Mr. Nolan has defended the latter, telling Time magazine he cast Mr. Scott as a tribute to “the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap.”Others have raised concerns that despite the diversity narrative surrounding the film, the cast remains overwhelmingly composed of major white Hollywood stars, with no actors of Greek or Mediterranean descent in significant roles.Additional criticism has been directed at perceived historical inaccuracies, including armor styles more consistent with Roman than ancient Greek culture, the use of Viking-style ships, and the incorporation of modern dialogue.“I agree about bad casting, but the choice to use modern language in the dialogue is the most egregious problem,” one X user wrote. “Why on earth did Nolan think that was a good idea?”Not everyone has been put off. “I may have judged The Odyssey too harshly. This new clip looks like they kept pretty close to the original text,” wrote another X user.“The Odyssey is an amazing film, and missing out on seeing it because you think it’s woke or whatever is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Your loss,” wrote historian and biographer Tom Holland. “If you like Nolan’s other films, you will love The Odyssey. If you didn’t like them, then miss it.”

Studio Cancels Influencer Screenings for Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Amid Backlash Over Casting

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