Christopher Nolan defended one of the boldest creative choices in his upcoming epic The Odyssey: casting of rapper Travis Scott in a supporting role.
Talk to TimeTHE Oppenheimer The director explained that Scott’s presence is meant to echo the oral tradition of Homer’s poem.
“I chose it because I wanted to salute the idea that this story was passed down as spoken word poetry, which is analogous to rap,” Nolan said.
Scott appears briefly in promotional images, sharing a banquet scene with Tom Holland’s Telemachus, Robert Pattinson’s Antinous and Jon Bernthal’s Menelaus.
Although his exact role remains a secret, fans speculate that he could play Demodocus, the blind bard who sings the tales of Odysseus.
The collaboration marks a reunion.
Scott previously contributed to the track The plan to Nolan’s thriller 2020 Principleco-written with composer Ludwig Göransson.
Nolan also addressed online discussions about the film’s costumes, which some critics say stray away from historical accuracy.
He countered that Homer’s myth has always been interpreted through the prism of later eras.
“The oldest depictions of Homeric characters tend to be depicted in the manner of people living in Homer’s time,” he explained.
Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, he added, used materials like blackened bronze and gold accents to signal Agamemnon’s elevated status.
Ultimately, Nolan urged the public to embrace his vision even if they disagree with the details.
“I hope they enjoy the film, even if they don’t agree with everything,” he said. “A lot of scientists have complained about Interstellar. But you just don’t want people to think you took it lightly.”
Starring Matt Damon as Ulysses, Anne Hathaway as Penelope and Charlize Theron as Calypso, The Odyssey promises to be one of the most ambitious releases of the summer.
Nolan is clearly ready to defend every decision behind it.
