Jimmy Kimmel told Elon Musk to “stay in [his] lane” after he criticized Christopher Nolan’s casting of Lupita Nyong’o in “The Odyssey.”
During the comedian’s opening monologue on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Tuesday, Kimmel discussed how the “trolls” like the billionaire businessman have had to “come up with random stuff to complain about to distract us.”
“Elon Musk is now attacking uh Christopher Nolan, the film director, for the way he cast the movie ‘The Odyssey,’” he began.
Jimmy Kimmel (seen above) slammed Elon Musk for criticizing Christopher Nolan’s casting of Lupita Nyong’o in “The Odyssey.” Jimmy Kimmel Live/ Youtube
The comedian (seen above on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”) said “trolls” like the billionaire businessman have had to “come up with random stuff to complain about to distract us.” Jimmy Kimmel Live/ Youtube
“He’s upset because Christopher Nolan hired Lupita Nyong’o to play a character he believes should be played by a white woman,” Kimmel added.
Kimmel, 58, then read a tweet that Musk, 54, shared about director Nolan’s decision to cast a Black woman as Helen of Troy, whose beauty sparked the Trojan War in Greek mythology.
“Musk posted [on X], ‘Chris Nolan desecrated the Odyssey so that he would be eligible for an Academy Award.” Kimmel read to his audience.
“Followed by, ‘Who specifically is a–hole who added DEI lies to Academy Awards eligibility instead of it just being about making the best movie?’” he added.
Kimmel (seen above) read a tweet from Musk, in which he claimed Nolan’s casting of Nyong’o was “DEI lies.” Jimmy Kimmel Live/ Youtube
Kimmel then showed a Tesla Cybertruck on the screen when asking, “Who specifically is the a–hole who thought this was a cool design for a truck?” Jimmy Kimmel Live/ Youtube
“That’s a good question. While we’re at it, who specifically is the a–hole who thought this was a cool design for a truck?” the late-night talk show host hit back, as an image of Musk’s Tesla Cybertruck was displayed onscreen.
“I mean, stay in your lane.”
Page Six has reached out to reps for both Nyong’o and Musk for comment but did not immediately hear back.
The Oscar-winning actress (seen above at “Every Brilliant Thing” opening night in March) will play Helen of Troy. Getty Images
Helen’s beauty sparked the Trojan War in Greek mythology. (Pictured: Nyong’o at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival in 2024.) Getty Images
Last week, Alec Baldwin also addressed Musk’s remarks about Nyong’o.
“Dear Elon… but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world…Alec,” the “30 Rock” alum, 68, wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the Oscar-winning actress, 43.
The X owner has been throwing attacks at Nolan online for the past few days.
When someone asked, “Why is Christopher Nolan like so many other directors so keen to race swap white characters?” Musk responded, “He wants the awards.”
Musk (seen above in January) claimed Nolan is swapping races in movies to pander for awards. Getty Images
The X owner (seen above) also slammed Nolan’s decision to cast trans actor Elliot Page. REUTERS
The Tesla CEO added that the filmmaker, 55, has “lost his integrity” by casting the Oscar-winning actress, 43, in the role.
Earlier this month, Musk also addressed rumors that trans actor Elliot Page had been cast as Achilles, the hero of the Trojan War, writing that the idea was “one of the dumbest and twisted things I’ve ever heard.”
After it was announced that Page would actually portray the character Elpenor, the SpaceX founder — who is estranged from his trans daughter, Vivian — reposted a tweet that read, “I’m not mocking her masculinity. I’m denying its existence.”