Elon Musk’s AI ‘Odyssey’ Pitch Mocked as ‘Whiter Than Christmas’ After Casting Backlash

Elon Musk’s plan to produce an AI-generated feature film adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey” has drawn widespread public reaction, following his dissatisfaction with director Christopher Nolan’s record-breaking blockbuster.

On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, guest host Colman Domingo poked fun at Musk’s pitch. “Now Elon Musk is planning to create what he calls a ‘historically accurate’ version of ‘The Odyssey,’ using his Grok AI,” Domingo said. “And by ‘historically accurate,’ he means whiter than Christmas at Cracker Barrel.”

Domingo added that this was “all because Elon and his Musketeers are upset over the diversity casting of ‘The Odyssey.’”

“And I don’t wanna get technical here, but you can’t make a historically accurate version of something that is totally made up,” he said. “I mean, ‘The Odyssey’ is fiction—like The Hunger Games, or the president’s cognitive exams.”

“I mean come on, doesn’t Elon Musk have better things to do? Wasn’t this bh supposed to be on Mars by now?” joked Domingo.

Skepticism over the “historically accurate” claim stems directly from the source material. Homer’s ancient Greek poem, written nearly 2,800 years ago, is universally treated as a work of fiction and features legendary mythic elements including a cyclops, six-headed sea monsters, and a witch capable of transforming men into swine.

Despite the fantasy elements, Musk announced on his social media platform X that his AI tool Grok Imagine would deliver a feature-length adaptation of the epic poem by year’s end. “Before this year ends,” Musk posted alongside a three-minute AI-generated clip, “Grok Imagine will make a full-length movie of The Odyssey that is historically accurate and true to the art of Homer.”

Musk’s announcement follows a lengthy string of grievances regarding Nolan’s theatrical release, which earned $264 million globally in its opening weekend.

Previously, Musk criticized Nolan online, writing: “Chris Nolan desecrated the Odyssey so that he would be eligible for an Academy Award.”

Musk’s outrage centered on casting reveals. When Time magazine published details confirming Academy Award-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o was playing Helen of Troy—a figure described in Homer’s text as the most beautiful woman in the world whose face “launched a thousand ships”—conservative commentator Matt Walsh posted a critique on X: “Not one person on the planet actually thinks that Lupita Nyong’o is ‘the most beautiful woman in the world.’ But Christopher Nolan knows that he would be called racist if he gave ‘the most beautiful woman’ role to a white woman. Nolan is technically talented but a coward.”

Musk amplified the post, adding simply: “True.”

Musk also railed against early reports that trans actor Elliot Page was being considered for Achilles before Page was ultimately confirmed to play Sinon. Responding to an article on X by UnHerd, Musk labeled the rumor “one of the dumbest and most twisted things I’ve ever heard.”