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Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey boasts a star-studded cast, from lead star Matt Damon all the way down. One of the most talked about castings for the film has been Lupita Nyong'o, which co-star Jon Bernthal declares to be perfect.
Nyong'o has two roles in the movie, playing both Helen of Troy and her sister, Clytemnestra. Bernthal also plays Menelaus, the Greek King of Sparta and Helen's husband. In an interview with DiscussingFilm to promote The Odyssey, Bernthal addressed the casting of Helen of Troy. He said that no one else could have done a better job in that particular role, as, along with her beauty, Nyong'o was able to bring the necessary nuance into her performance to most effectively portray the unusual relationship she has with Menelaus.
Jon Bernthal Says Lupita Nyongo' Is Perfect for the Part
"For me, there's no one else in the world who could've done that who comes with a level of beauty, both inside and out, that you believe somebody would [go to war for]," Bernthal said. "But, beyond that, there's just such rich interior life that, to me, us sitting there, it's like this palpability of anger, of shame, of regret, of love, you know, all this stuff that's probably been spoken and unspoken."
He continued, "You can kind of just feel it between us, while we were doing that, and what an awkward, insane, twisted, you know, family they are now. And really unhealthy, probably from sort of the beginning... To try to convey that all within the limitations of just a little bit of screen time and just to have it sort of exist between us. I don't think there's anyone else that could do that. I'm just so glad it was her."
Lupita Nyong'o's Dual Role Casting Stunned the Actor
Nyong'o also spoke more about her casting while speaking with CBR's Rachel Leishman. She spoke about how honored she felt for Nolan to cast her in her dual roles, marking the first time one actor has taken on both parts in an adaptation of the original poem by Homer. Of course, despite their relation, Helen and Clytemnestra have had very different experiences in life, and Nyong'o worked on making sure each portrayal was unique under the guidance of Nolan.
"I think this movie is a lot about the cost of war on everybody," she said. "Those who go to war, those who are left behind, or those who caused the war. For these two women, they have experienced this time very differently. Their anger is a product of their unique experiences. I was stunned when Chris told me he wanted me to play these two iconic characters. The goal for me was to try and create distinctions that were internal. And I think that's something else about working with Chris. He's really interested in the interiority. That then, hopefully, comes through in the film."
The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, following the Greek king of Ithaca on his treacherous journey home after the Trojan War. Along with Damon, Nyong'o, and Bernthal, the film also stars Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, and Elliot Page.
The Odyssey is now playing in movie theaters.
