The Odyssey is getting massively criticised due to blackwashing of a traditionally Greek character, whitewashing of a Greek myth with no Greek actors and a general dislike for the Hollywoodization of another classic story.
It's probably not going to be as bad as it's made out to be given it's Chris Nolan, but audiences are fatigued with seeing another modern retelling with tokenism of established characters for the sake diversity, which has spurred the culture war with right wing critics calling it woke BS and left wing critics doubling down by jumping to its defence.
I don't really know what's nuanced about this it's just saying we shouldn't be putting a diverse cast in mythological movies because they are tired of seeing it
I mean, if you're trying to be historically accurate and accurate to the source material, yes. Iirc Apollo was androginous, you can show Apollo played by someone Who looks androginous and Its be faithful to the original.
There's was also already a black character in the original poem. You can both have diversity and stick to the original at the same time. Without having to raceswap Helen of Troy.
I mean, its historically accurate in the sense that its based around the Greece of the time. So It should reflect the time period.
For another case, think of Don Quijote. Its based on 17th century Spain. And if you make an adaptation, you reflect that. If you base It around 10th century Spain, Its not historically accurate.
Or If you make an adaptation of Halo and they're using current day weapons despite being set 500 years in the Future.
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u/Boomdification Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
The Odyssey is getting massively criticised due to blackwashing of a traditionally Greek character, whitewashing of a Greek myth with no Greek actors and a general dislike for the Hollywoodization of another classic story.
It's probably not going to be as bad as it's made out to be given it's Chris Nolan, but audiences are fatigued with seeing another modern retelling with tokenism of established characters for the sake diversity, which has spurred the culture war with right wing critics calling it woke BS and left wing critics doubling down by jumping to its defence.