Lupita Nyong’o has answered the backlash over her casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s ambitious adaptation of The Odyssey with a clear, unbothered stance, according to People.

In an interview with Elle, the Oscar-winning actress described the project as mythological and broad enough to include whoever, noting that the film’s diverse cast reflects “the world” Nolan is portraying.

“This is a mythological story”, further adding that she will not waste energy on disproving critics, “The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”

The casting controversy drew high-profile commentary, including from Elon Musk himself, who shared his disapproval on social media and suggested Nolan’s motivation was awards-driven, claiming the director had “lost his integrity.”

The debate spilled into daytime TV, where The View’s hosts defended Nyong’o, with Whoopi Goldberg pointing out that Nyong’o is widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful women and even questioned the logic of the criticism, adding that viewers are free not to see the movie.

Nyong’o explained her approach to portraying a character so closely associated with beauty. “You can’t perform beauty,” she said, emphasising her interest in the person behind the character.

Rather than leaning on appearances, she wants to explore “what is beyond beauty,” digging into the character’s interior life.

Working with a filmmaker like Nolan, she said, helps focus on the work, the text and the script provide the starting point for investigation. That foundation, she suggested, narrows the endless scope of research that a canonical role like Helen could otherwise invite.

The actress acknowledged the impact of the project, with a cast that includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Elliot Page, Nyong’o said the ensemble suits a story that “spans worlds” and occupies “the epic narrative of our time.”

Her own résumé, 12 Years a Slave, Us, Black Panther, and Star Wars, adds to the film’s star-studded lineup.

The Odyssey, Nolan’s next cinematic event following acclaimed films like Oppenheimer, Inception, and Interstellar, arrives in theaters July 17.