On a recent Patreon segment of Flagrant 2, Andrew Schulz weighed in on the casting choices for Christopher Nolan‘s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, commenting on both Lupita Nyong’o‘s reported role as Helen of Troy and the online speculation surrounding Elliot Page.
Schulz began by addressing the backlash to Nyong’o’s casting and compared it to previous debates over historically themed portrayals in Hollywood.
“Haven’t we heard people have opinions when like a white chick plays like an Egyptian god?” Schulz said. “Even when a white chick played Cleopatra, who was from Europe, like she was in Egypt, but she came from a European dynasty. She was Greek.”
He continued, “So it’s like, yeah, maybe she’s not blonde with blue eyes or whatever, but like if she looked wider, it wouldn’t be that crazy. But even that was responded with crazy pushback. So having an expectation not be met is kind of pretty normal, especially for a role where you imagine it in one way and then it’s a different way.”
When co-host Mark Gagnon compared the controversy to debates around Harry Potter casting decisions, Schulz argued there was a distinction between fictional characters and historical figures.
“What I would say with Harry Potter is these characters are made up so they could be whatever they want. They don’t have to be where it’s like, Helen of Troy is allegedly based on a true person,” he said.
Despite discussing the controversy, Schulz made it clear he personally was not overly bothered by Nyong’o taking the role.
“I don’t care as much about it because she’s hot, so I’m like, yeah, it’s fine,” Mark said.
Schulz agreed and said, “All she has got to do is be the most beautiful girl in the world and she’s a absolute dime. So we’re fine with that.”
The conversation then shifted toward rumors that Elliot Page could portray Achilles, a casting rumor that Schulz openly questioned.
“Achilles, the greatest warrior in history being played by Elliott Page. That’s a little bit more of a stretch,” Schulz said.
He also acknowledged that the rumors may not be accurate, pointing to reports suggesting Page could instead be portraying Elpinor, one of Odysseus’ crew members.
“Some entertainment sites believe Page could be actually playing Elpinor, one of Odysseus’ crew members instead of Achilles,” co-host Mark stated.
“That seems to me more likely,” Andrew replied.
From there, Schulz pivoted into a comedic breakdown of why Page being aboard Odysseus’ ship could actually make sense within the story’s logic.
“If you’re Odysseus, right, you’re about to go on this voyage. You know how long it’s going to be. You need soldiers with you, but you also want a little p*ssy? Tell me that’s not the perfect person to put on the boat. You need someone who knows how to fig ht, trying to prove themselves, but you need a little wet,” Schulz said.
He continued the joke by arguing that such a setup would help the crew avoid one of the voyage’s biggest dangers.
“If you don’t do that, you’re going to be lured by the Sirens. You don’t want to be lured by the Sirens. That’s how they get you to crash your ship,” he said.
