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Whoopi Goldberg Slams Transphobic Critics Of Elliot Page’s ‘The Odyssey’ Casting: “Don’t Go See The Damn Movie”
On a recent episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg defended the casting of trans actor Elliot Page in Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of "The Odyssey", dismissing online criticism after conservative commentator Ben Shapiro complained about the choice. Her comments come as the film has passed $300 million at the box office following a record opening weekend, prompting Goldberg to question why critics who dislike the casting continue to watch and discuss the film rather than simply avoiding it. The exchange reflects a wider culture-war debate around the film's casting choices that has played out publicly since its release.
Fellow panellists Alyssa Farrah Griffin and Sarah Haines echoed Goldberg's stance, with Griffin calling the film "a masterpiece" with conservative themes around family and faith, and Haines criticising people for condemning the film without having seen it. Page reportedly plays the Greek soldier Sinon rather than Achilles, contrary to earlier online speculation. The casting row also extends to Lupita Nyong'o, who has faced criticism, including from Elon Musk and Matt Walsh, over her dual casting as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra; both Nyong'o and director Christopher Nolan have previously dismissed the backlash.
In short
- Whoopi Goldberg defends Elliot Page's "Odyssey" casting on The View
- Film has passed $300 million despite conservative backlash
- Lupita Nyong'o also faced separate criticism over her dual casting
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Diverse casting has demonstrably worked for this film, which achieved commercial success with acclaimed performances. Elliot Page is a talented performer deserving of major opportunities, and casting decisions should reflect contemporary values just as adaptations have always done. When criticism focuses on an actor's identity rather than their performance, it reasonably reflects bias. Those who object to inclusive casting choices can simply choose not to engage with content they find objectionable rather than attempting to delegitimise the work.
The case against
Evaluating casting decisions on multiple artistic grounds—including whether they serve the story and respect source material—is legitimate film criticism. One can fully support LGBTQ+ performers' right to work whilst questioning whether specific casting choices, particularly those significantly departing from established material, are justified on artistic rather than primarily representational grounds. Characterising all criticism of these decisions as transphobic suppresses genuine discussion about how contemporary casting practices operate and conflates disagreement with prejudice.
Explained simply
Christopher Nolan has directed a film adaptation of Homer's classical epic "The Odyssey". The casting of trans actor Elliot Page and actress Lupita Nyong'o in lead roles has attracted online criticism, particularly from conservative commentators. This has become part of a wider cultural conversation about representation in cinema.
Some commentators have supported the casting and praised the film's storytelling, whilst others have objected to the casting choices. Director Christopher Nolan and the actors involved have largely dismissed the criticism surrounding their roles.
The film has achieved substantial commercial success, with over £300 million at the box office and a record opening weekend. The casting controversy has become a focal point in broader discussions about representation in film, attracting significant public attention.