The final trailer for Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation of "The Odyssey" has been met with significant online backlash, with audience reaction data suggesting a heavily negative reception. Estimators have calculated over 542,000 dislikes on the trailer, compared to approximately 64,000 likes, indicating a ratio of nearly 90% negative feedback.
Speculation has centered on the casting choices for key roles in the film. While Matt Damon was cast as the lead Odysseus, other decisions have drawn particular attention. Lupita Nyong'o portrays Helen of Troy, Elliot Page is cast as the soldier Sinon, and Indian actor Himesh Patel plays Eurylochus. Rapper Travis Scott is slated to appear as a Homeric bard.
These casting announcements have reportedly been met with mixed reactions, and subsequent commentary has amplified scrutiny. During the film's promotional tour, Nyong'o, when asked what she would ask Homer, responded with a critique of the source material's portrayal of women, stating, "So Homer, how do you feel about the screen time given to these women, considering how little you spent with them, okay?" She reportedly added, "Remember us?"
Critics of these casting decisions and comments suggest that they demonstrate a disregard for the source material. The narrative of "The Odyssey," which predates modern sensibilities by millennia, is the foundation upon which the film is based. Some commentary posits that such choices, and the public defense of them, risk alienating audiences and undermining the film's potential success, despite Nolan's established reputation as a filmmaker.
Despite the reported negative reaction to the trailer and the casting controversies, "The Odyssey" is still widely anticipated to be a financial success due to Nolan's track record. However, concerns have been raised that these casting decisions and the accompanying discourse could negatively impact ticket sales and overall revenue. The film is scheduled for release in July 2026.