Alec Baldwin has stepped in like a gentleman to defend Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o from recent criticisms by Tesla CEO Elon Musk about her casting in the upcoming Christopher Nolan production of “The Odyssey,” which is set to hit theaters July 17.
GettyNyong’o, a Yale drama school graduate, won the trophy for Best Supporting Actress at the 2014 Academy Awards for her role as Patsey in “12 Years a Slave.” Her casting in two separate roles in “The Odyssey” was confirmed in a May 12 Time profile on Nolan.
Nyong’o portrays Helen of Troy as well as Helen’s sister, Clytemnestra.
The controversy began when Musk, who was formerly romantically linked to actress Amber Heard and singer Grimes, took to X to criticize the casting choice. On May 15, he wrote that Nolan will “never live down” his casting decisions, and suggested Nyong’o was only hired due to Nolan’s attempts to win an Oscar by exploiting diversity initiatives.
Musk also replied “true” to a post by another user insulting Nyongo’s looks.
It was after this that the “Beetlejuice” star jumped in to defend and praise her.
What Did Alec Baldwin Say About Lupita Nyong’o?
Alec Baldwin shared a portrait of Nyong’o on his Instagram page and wrote, “Dear Elon…but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world…Alec.”
A fan replied with a thoughtful assessment of Nyong’o’s casting, writing, “Homer does not give Helen a detailed physical description in the Iliad. Her beauty is shown mostly through the effect she has on people. So acting like Nolan violated some crystal-clear ancient casting memo is⦠unserious.
And honestly? Lupita as Helen makes mythic sense. Helen is not ‘a blonde woman with a specific nose.’ Helen is beauty so destabilizing that men rewrite their own moral logic around her. Lupita absolutely has that kind of luminous, regal, almost unreal beauty.”
Baldwin’s wife Hilaria Baldwin also replied to the post, showing love for Nyong’o by leaving fire and heart emojis.
Zendaya, Matt Damon, & More A-listers Are on ‘The Odyssey’ Cast
Nyong’o is joined on the cast by Zendaya, who got her start as a Disney darling on “Shake It Up” before going on to win two Primetime Emmy Awards for her portrayal of troubled teenager Rue Bennett in “Euphoria.”
The 29-year-old plays the supporting role of Athena, and her rumored husband Tom Holland plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus.
Other notable members of the cast include Matt Damon, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, and Anne Hathaway.
Nolan talked in the Time feature about his decision to eschew a soundstage in favor of shooting on location in nature, despite facing some harsh complications such as relentless rain in Iceland and excessive sandy winds in Morocco.
“Iâve developed a reputation for not liking visual effects. But, you know, my films have won three Oscars for visual effects. I know a lot about it, and Iâm really fascinated by it. But I like to make films with a very grounded tone.”
Damon, who got a taste of the elements at each location in his role as Odysseus, recalled, “The joke was, at each location youâd think, well, the next location is going to be easier because normally on every movie thereâs a moment where it lets up. It just didnât. It was relentless.”
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