‘The Odyssey’ set to be bastardized beyond all recognition

 Olivia Murray 

 "The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books, its culture, its history. Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long that nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was..."

"I read Homer’s The Odyssey in ninth grade, and though it’s a work of legend, reading that story was a crucial watershed moment in my intellectual development—the characters were larger than life, defined by glory and heroism, full of depth, and enviously alluring. And, for having seen relatively few Hollywood productions (compared to the average American), I did see the 2004 Troy, which I absolutely loved. While I wouldn’t say the movie was objectively worth grand acclaim, it was carried by the film’s score, the aesthetic beauty of the scenery (despite the CGI), and the casting of two very specific characters: Diane Kruger as Helen, and Brad Pitt as Achilles. (And I was thrilled to see a very handsome Sean Bean playing Odysseus, able to connect that story with my ninth-grade education.)

"While Pitt is clearly an attractive man, it was his portrayal of Achilles that made him such a dream: morally gray, hypermasculine, deeply loyal, dangerous (but gentle with Briseis), peak Western warrior. Kruger? She was simply stunning, a believable “face that launched 1,000 ships,” noble and resplendent.

"So, it is with that point in mind that I have nothing but disgust and contempt for Christopher Nolan’s planned production—entirely undeserving of being called an “epic” take. The new Achilles and the new Helen? Truly an abomination if the rumors turn out to be true. Ellen (“Elliot”) Page, a very petite woman who cut off her breasts because she’s “trans,” is reportedly set to fill Pitt’s shoes, and Lupita Nyong’o is said to be playing Helen. Now, Nyong’o’s physical unattractiveness has nothing to do with her skin tone, which is offensive in and of itself because Helen was not black and I’m so sick of the woke swaps, but Lupita is just not a pretty woman." More...

Hollywood has gotten many stories completely wrong out of prejudice, tokenism, and a desire for visual spectacles, but I don’t think it has gotten one THIS wrong.

. . . "And in this light, Athena is played by Zendaya, a black woman who is 29 years old. And Achilles is played by…Elliott Page. Ex-Ellen Page. “Trans-Man”...All 5’ 2”, 105 pounds of her. The greatest warrior hero in the Greek mythos, a synonym for his power and his anger, played by a tiny woman.

Achilles the warrior

"There is no purpose to this that I can see other than “inclusivity,” and an obvious pandering to “the rules.” But what is lost when race, sexual orientation, and gender are made criteria for anything is talent. Instead of ability being the sole arbiter of who is a pilot, or a doctor, or who is best suited to a part, we get quotas and agendas. United has committed to 50% “diversity” at its pilot school. That’s what I want—a diversity pilot hire. I want a doctor hired for race and sex rather than one hired for ability. Or an actor chosen to include LGBTQ+++ (or however many letters are fashionable today) rather than being suited to their role." . . .

Read it for yourself: Representation and Inclusion Standards | Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences