Film director Scott Derrickson has publicly criticised Elon Musk after the Tesla and X owner vowed that his AI tool Grok would produce a full-length, "historically accurate" film version of Homer's Odyssey by the end of 2026. Musk's announcement came amid an ongoing campaign against Christopher Nolan's blockbuster adaptation of "The Odyssey", which he has repeatedly attacked over casting choices he considers "woke". Derrickson, known for directing "Doctor Strange" and "The Black Phone", responded on X by saying Musk "doesn't know shit about cinema" and stopped reading in his twenties, adding that "his opinions on art are worthless".

Musk's opposition to Nolan's film dates back to March, when he called the director "an anti-White racist" for casting Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy and accused him of chasing awards. He also mocked transgender actor Elliott Page's casting as Sinon, and has previously targeted other films, including "Barbie" and Disney's "Snow White" remake, over perceived feminist or progressive themes. Despite the backlash, Nolan's "The Odyssey", starring Matt Damon, has proved a major commercial success, opening to $264 million worldwide and continuing to sell out cinema screenings, including Imax 70mm showings, months in advance.