Lupita Nyong'o Plays Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'

Lupita Nyong’o stars in dual roles as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra in Christopher Nolan’s epic film “The Odyssey,” according to USA Today. The Oscar-winning actress portrays the legendary figure whose beauty is said to have launched a thousand ships.

Her casting as the literal demigoddess sparked online debate from some quarters. The film, which is currently in theaters, reimagines the classical tale with several key changes from Homer's original poems.

What changes did Nolan make to Helen of Troy?

Nolan's most notable alteration is giving Helen a large, unexplained scar across her face. This detail is lightly joked about by her husband, King Menelaus, played by Jon Bernthal. The director also makes Helen and Clytemnestra identical twins, rather than half-sisters as in mythology.

These choices shift the focus from Helen's famed beauty to the brutal realities of war. The scar visually represents that even the most coveted person is not immune to violence.

Why was Lupita Nyong'o cast in the role?

In an interview with USA TODAY, Bernthal said, "I don’t think there’s anyone else in the world who could play that part." He added, "We think of Helen of Troy and her beauty, but it’s about the inner life and how rich that is. She’s able to bring the awkwardness and shame and betrayal and survivor’s guilt and remorse and everything."

He emphasized Nyong'o's ability to convey complex emotion with subtlety. "To be able to bring in an actor like Lupita, who can convey so much with just a look – you really felt it in her," Bernthal added.

The article notes that while Homer described Helen as "white-armed," the phrase in its original context suggested high status, not necessarily pale skin. Nyong'o's performance brings what the report calls a "quiet pain" and intelligence to both roles.