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Nolan’s The Odyssey Tops Box Office Despite Backlash Over Casting

The film’s robust opening suggests social-media anger over trans and Black casting did not stop mass audiences.

Overview

  • Early online backlash targeted the casting of transgender actor Elliot Page and Black actress Lupita Nyong’o and was amplified by high-profile figures and misreported rumors about Page’s role.
  • The Odyssey opened to roughly $120 million domestic and about $264 million worldwide, marking Christopher Nolan’s biggest debut and undercutting predictions that the film would fail commercially.
  • Hosts on The View, including Whoopi Goldberg, publicly defended the cast and told critics they could simply choose not to see the film rather than attack it online.
  • Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro criticized the casting choice but praised Nolan’s filmmaking, called the movie a “masterpiece,” and urged conservative audiences to see it despite objections.
  • Elliot Page’s part is a relatively small role as Sinon and reviewers gave positive notices for the performance, and the episode highlights how misreporting and partisan online outrage can diverge sharply from broader audience response.