Well, someone was bound to ask him.
If you’re wondering what Christopher Nolan thinks about all the backlash surrounding “The Odyssey,” he’s shrugging it off completely. P
Speaking with The Telegraph, Nolan said the online pushback “comes with the territory” of adapting a major piece of literature, adding that he faced similar criticism while making his Batman movies.
These conversations that happen before people see the film – they’re always irrelevant, because no one having them knows what the film actually is yet. But remember, I spent 10 years of my life dealing with Batman. When I came on to Batman Begins, writers and artists had been working on this beloved character for almost 65 years, and a lot of freighted thoughts were out there about what he represents. And what I learnt over my time on that trilogy is you can’t worry about any of that at all. What you have to do is honour the original text by interpreting it in the strongest way you personally can
Nolan doesn’t mention anyone by name—Lupita, Elliot, or Elon. He simply brushes it all off. Not going into detail. Maybe that’s the smart thing to do given the current climate.
In that same interview, Nolan added that audiences appreciated the “sincerity” behind his adaptations, even when creative choices differed from what some expected. He stressed that his focus is simply to make “the best film I possibly can,” noting that every adaptation is unique because “that’s what adaptation is.”
Of course, much of this stems from the flurry of controversies that have surrounded Nolan’s film. Some of the backlash has centered on the casting, including Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy and Elliot Page as Seren. Then came the trailer, with many viewers ridiculing the dialogue—particularly the now-infamous “Daddy” line—as well as the use of American accents. Others questioned the armor, weapons, and costumes, arguing they were inauthentic to the period.
On top of all that, the Greeks aren’t happy. Some have expressed frustration, asking why a film based on one of the most important works of Greek literature, and filmed partly in Greece, doesn’t prominently feature Greek actors.
The film’s box office numbers will either silence or amplify the naysayers. As I mentioned a few days ago, tracking is all over the place for “The Odyssey,” but you’d be a fool to bet against Nolan right now, especially with glowing reviews expected on Wednesday when the embargo finally lifts.
We're about seven weeks out, and there's been barely any buzz. The rollout has been weak, especially for a movie built around Tarantino, Fincher, and Pitt.