As Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey storms into theaters, one casting choice continues to ignite a Trojan War far beyond the silver screen. While Lupita Nyong’o’s portrayal of Helen of Troy has divided corners of the internet, Jon Bernthal has made it abundantly clear that he has no interest in entertaining the backlash. Instead, the actor is celebrating the very qualities he believes made Nyong’o the only person worthy of bringing history’s most legendary queen to life.

Because if kingdoms could once fall over Helen of Troy, it is hardly surprising that Christopher Nolan’s version has sparked a battle of its own.

Speaking about his co-star, Jon Bernthal had nothing but admiration for Lupita Nyong’o’s performance as Helen of Troy. The actor said he could not imagine anyone else stepping into the role, praising not only her remarkable screen presence but also the grace and humanity she brings both on and off camera. For Bernthal, Nyong’o possesses the rare combination of inner and outer beauty that makes audiences understand why an entire war could be fought over Helen, adding that he was simply “so glad it was her.” 

"For me, there's no one else in the world who could have done that, who comes with a level of beauty both inside & out that you believe somebody would [go to war for]... I'm just so glad it was her." Bernthal told to DiscussingFilm.

Bernthal’s glowing endorsement arrives as Lupita Nyong’o’s casting remains one of The Odyssey's hottest talking points. While many fans have hailed the Oscar winner as a worthy Helen of Troy, others have turned social media into a battlefield of their own. At the same time, supporters have rallied behind Nyong’o, arguing that her performance, not the noise surrounding her casting, is what deserves the spotlight.

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 Lupita Nyong’o was not the only The Odyssey star earning Jon Bernthal’s admiration. Christopher Nolan quickly found a place on that list as well.

Speaking to Cinemablend, Jon Bernthal revealed that he had heard plenty about Christopher Nolan’s famously phone-free sets long before arriving on The Odyssey. Recalling his wife’s reaction, the actor laughed that it “sounds like church,” before admitting she turned out to be absolutely right. Once filming began, Bernthal quickly understood why the rule mattered, explaining that Nolan had created an environment where everyone stayed fully present and completely immersed in the story.

" I heard that there were no phones on his set, and my wife was like, you got to do that. It sounds like church." Bernthal told CinemaBlend.

With The Odyssey now playing exclusively in theaters and IMAX, audiences can finally witness the environment Bernthal described come to life on screen. Christopher Nolan’s first film since the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer brings together an all-star ensemble, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, and Bernthal himself, for a breathtaking retelling of Homer’s legendary epic. 

Thus, from calling Lupita Nyong’o the only actor capable of embodying the legendary queen to praising Christopher Nolan’s uniquely immersive filmmaking environment, the actor’s admiration speaks louder than the online backlash.

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What are your thoughts on Lupita Nyong’o’s casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey? Let us know in the comments.