Elon Musk's online campaign against Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey failed to hurt its box office, with the film earning over $260 million globally in its opening weekend. Musk targeted the casting of Lupita Nyong'o and Elliot Page, falsely claiming it was to meet Oscar diversity requirements, but the film's success is the latest example of rightwing boycott calls having no real impact.
Musk's Campaign Backfires
Musk posted dozens of times on X, criticizing Nyong'o (a Black woman) and Page (a trans man) in the film, calling Nolan 'pissing on Homer's grave.' However, the film's cast also includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Holland, and the diversity requirements are flexible studio-wide programs, not directly tied to casting. Critics gave the film a 95% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Box Office Success Defies Critics
With over $260 million already, The Odyssey is on track to outgross Troy (2004), which rightwing social media suddenly praised as a beloved masterpiece. The 'go woke, go broke' rallying cry has been drowned out by audience demand for Nolan's spectacle.
Broader Trends
Other films targeted by rightwing campaigns, like Barbie, Superman, Wicked, and Sinners, also performed well. UCLA's annual diversity report found that films with 40-50% BIPOC casts had the highest median box office. Even Snow White, with a 39% critic score, saw above-average performance in red counties.
"There was no red theater blockade due to any perceived controversies with Snow White," analyst Steve Buck told Deadline. Similarly, leftwing boycotts of Scream 7 over Melissa Barrera's firing did not hurt its box office, making it the highest-grossing Scream film.
Conclusion
Rightwing outrage over diverse casting does not affect box office success. As Nolan's The Odyssey proves, audiences prioritize quality and spectacle over manufactured controversies. The myth of 'go woke, go broke' persists only in online echo chambers, not in real-world ticket sales.
