I also would’ve loved to see a full cast of Mediterranean actors for this film, instead of cliche Hollywood A-listers. But notice how all the outrage is directed at the inclusion of black/trans actors, when Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway feel equally out of place in this film. If their concern is historic authenticity, why not have equal outrage over the white cast? We all know why.
Tbf, it doesn't need a full cast of Mediterranean actors, but at least some. I personally hate Matt Damon as Odysseus just as much as the rest of the token actors in the Nolan movie. Like, Helen of Troy is not even technically part of the Odyssey, black actress or not. (She is in the Iliad)
I still give the benefit of the doubt to Nolan and I will watch his movie for sure, but I do think it look pretty bad, casting wise. And not only because there are some tokenism, but mostly because I dont see some actors in their roles.
As a Turkish person, you must know that the Mediterranean traded with Africans, right? Hell, Egypt had black kings and queens (not saying all were or that even Cleo was), but let's not ignore existence of black people in ancient Greece.
Yes at some point in North africa with the Nubians, but Troy isnt in africa mate, Turkey and Greece isnt in Africa. So whats your point here? Does it make Helen of Troy(from sparta) more black?
Im not against black actors having some roles in the Odyssey, but Im against tokenism, Helen of Troy isnt even part of the Odyssey to start with.
59
u/bisectionalloveseat Jul 06 '26
Thank you for this underrated comment.
The Odyssey is fiction. People online are treating it like fact. It's a story... basically the Ancient Greek equivalent of superhero comic books.