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.