Trans actor Elliot Page has disclosed a challenging period in his career following the success of "The Odyssey," suggesting that controversy surrounding the film's casting has impacted his ability to secure new roles.
In a recent appearance on the "On Film... With Kevin McCarthy" podcast, Page, 39, remarked on the difficulty of being cast, stating, "I think it’s a little tricky for me to get cast right now. I think that’s probably for pretty obvious reasons." The Canadian actor, who came out as transgender in 2020, also humorously attributed the situation to "The Canadian thing."
Page's role as the Greek soldier Sinon in "The Odyssey" was part of a casting that ignited significant debate, drawing criticism from figures like Elon Musk. Musk engaged in a prolonged social media campaign against what he termed the film's "woke" casting choices, particularly those involving Page and Lupita Nyong'o. While Page did not directly reference Musk's criticisms, he acknowledged observing the film's broader impact, noting reactions in the news and online.
Page appears in "The Odyssey" for approximately five and a half minutes of the film's 173-minute duration. Since his transition, his acting credits have included roles in "The Umbrella Academy" seasons 3 and 4 and the 2023 film "Close to You." This marks his second collaboration with director Christopher Nolan, who previously cast him in the 2010 film "Inception."
The casting of Nyong'o as Helen of Troy also generated considerable backlash. Commentator Matt Walsh expressed that Nyong'o should not be considered for the role of the "world's greatest beauty," suggesting Nolan cast her to avoid accusations of racism. Musk publicly agreed with Walsh's sentiment, a stance that drew criticism from other celebrities. Nyong'o also faced online criticism for her remarks about her screen time in the film.
Speculation that Page would portray Achilles in "The Odyssey" also drew sharp criticism from Musk, who called it "one of the dumbest and twisted things I've ever heard." Following the confirmation of Page's actual role, Musk reposted a comment that questioned Page's masculinity.
Nolan, however, has spoken positively about working with Page again. In an interview with Rolling Stone earlier this year, Nolan described the reunion as "thrilling" and stated that Page brought a "really special" quality to his character, Sinon, embodying elements of tragedy and war. Nolan also explained his casting of rapper Travis Scott, unseasoned as an actor, by comparing the oral tradition of storytelling to rap music.
"The Odyssey" features a wide-ranging cast, including Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron. The intensity of online criticism led the official X account for Nolan's "Odyssey" to restrict comments on its posts.