Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, has publicly criticized English historian Tom Holland, calling him a "c**k" after Holland defended the film adaptation of "The Odyssey." The exchange began when Holland posted a positive review of the movie, urging those who hadn't seen it to reserve judgment.
Musk responded to Holland's post on X, which has since garnered over 12 million views, with the insult. It remains unclear whether Musk intended to target the historian, known for his work on Western morality and the podcast "The Rest is History," or the actor Tom Holland, who also appears in the film as Telemachus.
"The Odyssey," directed by Christopher Nolan, is based on Homer's ancient Greek epic and features a star-studded cast including Matt Damon as Odysseus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. The film has faced criticism and online backlash regarding its casting choices, including Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy and Zendaya as Athena, with some commentators arguing against the casting of non-Greek actors and citing alleged historical inaccuracies.
Historian Tom Holland has defended the film, stating that "The Odyssey is an amazing film, and missing out on seeing it because you think it’s woke or whatever is cutting off your nose to spite your face." He added that if audiences enjoyed Nolan's previous films, they would likely appreciate "The Odyssey."
Nolan began writing the screenplay in March 2024 and announced the film in December. With an estimated budget of $250 million, it is one of Nolan's most expensive projects. The film premiered on July 6 and is set for theatrical release on July 17 in the United States and the United Kingdom. Professional critics have largely offered positive reviews, with Erik Davis calling it an "absolute triumph" and Jazz Tangcay of Variety labeling it a "work of art."
However, online criticism has been intense enough for the film's official X account to restrict comments on its posts. The backlash has also targeted specific casting decisions, such as Lupita Nyong'o's role as Helen's sister Clytemnestra. Conservative pundit Matt Walsh criticized Nyong'o's casting, and Musk appeared to agree with Walsh's sentiment on X, which reportedly drew criticism from figures like Alec Baldwin and Jimmy Kimmel.
Nyong'o herself admitted to not being familiar with "The Odyssey" before being cast, undertaking a crash course to educate herself on Greek mythology for the role. Other criticisms have focused on the film's design of armor and ships, with some Greek publications and commentators deeming them unrealistic for the period. Nolan, in a May interview, explained his decision to cast rapper Travis Scott as an untested actor, analogizing his role to the oral tradition of poetry and rap.
The controversy highlights a broader debate surrounding historical accuracy, artistic interpretation, and the casting of diverse actors in adaptations of classic literature.