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Alec Baldwin has responded to Elon Musk’s criticism of Lupita Ngong’o’s upcoming role as Helen of Troy in “The Odyssey”. The tech billionaire had questioned the motives for her casting.

Musk claimed previously that Christopher Nolan’s casting of Nyong’o had less to do with storytelling and more to do with the awards season. The owner of X used the diversity requirements that films must meet in order to be considered for Best Picture to make his argument.

Baldwin, the star of “Saturday Night Live”, has defended the Kenyan actress with passion, insisting that she truly fits the legendary beauty of the role.

Elon Musk thinks Nolan wants the awards

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Musk has recently re-initiated his public criticism of director Christopher Nolan. He used his X platform in order to slam Nolan’s upcoming epic “The Odyssey.”

The latest controversy arose after Nolan confirmed, in a recent Time Magazine interview, that Nyong’o would play both Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra in the film.

Musk was not happy with the casting, arguing that she did not fit the description given in the source material.

Tesla’s boss also referred to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences updated standards for Best Picture eligibility.

Elon Musk is called out by Alec Baldwin for his criticism of Lupita

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Baldwin, who appeared to be frustrated by Musk’s opinion on Nyong’o’s selection as Helen of Troy’s actress, responded on Instagram with a picture of the actress. “Dear Elon,” Baldwin wrote in the caption. “But she IS the most gorgeous woman in the entire world… Alec.”

His comment came after remarks by conservative commentator Matt Walsh who argued on X in a blog post that no one genuinely saw Nyong’o fitting the mythical picture of Helen, whose beautiful beauty was famously what sparked off the Trojan War.

Musk has also criticised other casting choices related to the film including Elliot Page’s role after initially reacting in response to rumors that Page would play Achilles.

Fans echo Elon Musk’s Casting Disapproval

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Musk said that it would be an “insult” if Nyong’o was cast as Helen of Troy and even wrote, “Chris Nolan’s integrity has been lost.”

Many online users seemed to agree with him, and some accused the filmmaker of deliberately provocating audiences by casting a Black actor in a traditionally white role.

“It feels humiliating,” wrote one X user, criticizing Nolan’s choice of casting and claiming that the filmmaker had gone back to acclaimed films like “Oppenheimer”, “Interstellar”, and made decisions they found absurd.

Another user dismissed the film as well, stating that each new casting announcement made him less interested in watching the film. He predicted that “The Odyssey” will fail at the box office.

Christopher Nolan defends other ‘Odyssey” choices

Nolan hasn’t directly responded to Musk, but he has defended certain creative choices made in “The Odyssey”, which have also caused backlash on the internet.

The film will be released in theaters around the world on 17 July 2026. Radio Times reported that the trailer made people laugh when Tom Holland’s Telemachus said his “dad” was returning. Many viewers also criticised the armor worn by certain characters, claiming that it looked like the Batsuit in Nolan’s trilogy “Dark Knight”.

In his Time Magazine interview, the director responded to the criticism of the armor by explaining the historical reasoning behind the design.

He said that there are Mycenaean blades that have been blackened. “Theoretically, they could have blackened the bronze in those times.” “You take bronze and add more gold and sliver to it, then use sulfur.”

Nolan Compares “The Odyssey” To “Interstellar”

The “Oppenheimer’ director also revealed his overall approach to filmmaking, comparing it with the process behind “Interstellar.”

Nolan said that when you look at the ancient past it’s the same thing. “‘What is my best speculation, and how can I use it to create a new world?'”

He said that he doesn’t expect every viewer to be in agreement with his choices, but he wants to make sure that the film is still well-considered.

“Hopefully they will enjoy the film even if they disagree with everything.” Nolan said that a lot scientists had complained about “Interstellar.” But you don’t want to give the impression that you were a frivolous person.

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John Stamos pays a heartfelt tribute to his late friend, actor Bob Saget. He shares emotional words and personal stories that celebrate their close relationship. The actor’s simple but impactful message reflects his continued remembrance for Saget, and highlights the lasting effect of their friendship four years after Saget’s passing.

John Stamos shared his last photo with Bob Saget

Instagram | John Stamos

John Stamos shared a series photos on Instagram to honor his late pal, Bob Saget. It was the comedian’s birthday, which would have fallen on May 17.

The carousel featured a clip of Saget performing and several photos of them together over the years. The last slide featured a group photo of Saget and Stamos, along with their wives Kelly Rizzo and Catilin McChugh, respectively. They were posing before the ocean with the words, “LAST PIC.”

“We used throw each other great parties for birthdays. Your 70th birthday today would have been epic! Stamos wrote, “I miss you and love” in the caption. The actor’s post was flooded with hundreds of comments, many of which remembered Saget and wished him a happy heaven birthday.

The two actors had a rocky start to their friendship

Stamos, Saget and their families were extremely close for many years before Saget passed away. However, they weren’t always best friends. They met on the ABC sitcom, “Full House,” when they played brothers-in law: Stamos was Jesse Katsopolis, and Saget was Danny Tanner. The series lasted eight seasons, from 1987 to 1995.

Stamos wrote in his memoir “If You Would have Told Me”, released in 2023 that he did not think Saget was the right actor for the role, even though he knew he was talented. Saget, in his opinion, was a comic whose main goal was making people laugh. Stamos, on the other hand, preferred to work seriously and break up scenes. Stamos wrote: “Bob, I tolerate you and we try to avoid interfering in each other’s creative process. It can be challenging.”

They became close when they accepted each other’s artistic style and supported each other through personal tragedies.

John Stamos and Bob Saget developed a friendship beyond the camera

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Stamos, Saget, and the rest of “Full House’s” cast remained close, celebrating each other in triumphs and supporting each other through difficult times. Saget comforted the family of his friend when the father died in 2001. He even hosted the funeral. Stamos said that the two were already close, but that what Saget did for him “cemented their friendship”.

Saget was present at the ceremony in 2009 when Stamos received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He offered some kind words to his friend. Saget said, “You are so talented… and so loving… and I will always be here for you and your family because you’re my brother.”

They also stood by each other during their divorces, health scares and other hardships.

Inside Bob Saget’s Death in 2022

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Saget died at 65 in January 2022 while on a comedy tour. He was found dead in his hotel room, with abrasions on his scalp and hemorrhaging. The medical examiner gave blunt head trauma as the official cause of death.

His family released a press release explaining his death and said: “They have concluded he accidentally struck the back of his skull on something, didn’t think much of it, and went to bed.” No drugs or alcohol was involved.”

Stamos remembered the moment in 2023 when he received confirmation that his friend was dead. He was on the phone with Saget’s screaming wife. Stamos stated, “I fell to the ground and my knees hit the asphalt.”

John Stamos Honors Bob Saget on His Death Anniversary

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Stamos posts moving tributes each year on the anniversary of Saget’s passing. In 2023, Stamos wrote about finding joy in the midst of grief. He gathered his fellow “Full House’ castmates a year later to remember Saget. In the caption of the photo, the actor said that he doesn’t want a part to get used to Saget being gone, but he also knows that his friend would want him move on and enjoy his life.

Stamos wrote in January 2026 that he missed Saget and that it felt like being in a room with no laughter. The John Stamos honors Bob Saget with touching birthday tribute first appeared on The Blast

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Actor Adam Driver is hot off the success of “Paper Tiger” at the Cannes Film Festival. Directed by James Gray, the film tells the story of two brothers who become entangled with the Russian mafia while pursuing the American Dream. Since early reviews are praising Driver’s acting ability, it’s no surprise that he’s been tapped to star in Kenneth Lonergan’s latest feature.

Adam Driver To Star In Kenneth Lonergan’s Drama ‘Tomorrow Is A Drag’

Kenneth Lonergan earned an Oscar for best original screenplay for 2016’s “Manchester by the Sea.” The film also gave Casey Affleck a best actor win. Lonergan’s latest film might just give Driver another shot at an Oscar, as he received consecutive Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for playing a Jewish police officer infiltrating the KKK in 2018’s “BlacKkKlansman” and Best Actor for his role as a theater director going through a divorce in 2019’s “Marriage Story.”

In Kenneth Lonergan’s latest film, “Tomorrow Is A Drag,” Driver will reunite with his “Megalopolis” costar Aubrey Plaza, as reported by Variety. Vanessa Kirby and Matthew Broderick are also attached to the project. Plot details are being kept under wraps for now, although Lonergan previously worked with Driver on the off-Broadway play “Hold On to Me Darling.”

‘Paper Tiger’ Gets A 10-Minute Ovation At The Cannes Film Festival

According to Deadline, James Gray’s new film “Paper Tiger” drew in a ten-minute standing ovation at the Grand Theatre Lumiere. Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, and director Pawel Pawlikowski were some of the A-list stars leading the applause.

Emotional director James Gray thanked the crowd, saying, “There’s much more gray now in the beard, not just the name, but the beard. And I have learned finally to appreciate. But more I appreciate you, without you, there is no cinema, cinema needs you. And cinema needs you guys more than ever. Really. This is really an important time and Cannes is so important for that reason and you are important for that reason. So, it moves me greatly to see you here in this theater where I have many great memories. And I love you all, what can I say, I’m going to leave soon, so I can hide.”

‘Paper Tiger’ Stars Adam Driver, Miles Teller, and Scarlett Johansson

The film stars Adam Driver and Miles Teller as two brothers. Driver’s character is a divorced ex-cop with ties to the Russian mafia, and Teller plays a more straight-laced father to his two sons, while his wife, played by Scarlett Johansson, hides a secret of her own when her health struggles catch up with her.

NEON has acquired the rights to the film, which was first announced at last year’s Cannes market. The last time Gray was at Cannes was with 2022’s “Armageddon Time.” That coming-of-age film was widely praised upon its release, and it seems that Gray’s latest story about the American Dream will be no different. Reviews that have been coming out of Cannes have been overwhelmingly positive, with Driver’s acting drawing considerable praise.

Scarlett Johansson Opens Up About Working With Adam Driver

Although she was married – and divorcing – Driver’s character in “Marriage Story,” Johansson is married to Miles Teller’s character in “Paper Tiger.” Even though she shared a few scenes with Driver, she told The Hollywood Reporter that she would have loved to work with him more on the project.  

“I would’ve loved to have had even more scenework with him, I love working with him,” she told the publication. However, that’s not to say she didn’t enjoy working with Teller.

“He’s so unexpectedly tender. I went away for a couple of weeks to do the press for Jurassic — I felt crazy to leave, but I had to go — and when I was gone, I’d get photographs of my makeup station from Miles and he’d be like, ‘Where’s Hester?’” she said of working with the “Top Gun: Maverick” alum.  

The “Avengers” actress also told PEOPLE magazine that she had a “great” experience working with the actor back in 2025. “I love Adam as a person and he is an absolutely extraordinary actor,” she said at the time. “If I could make every movie with Adam Driver, I would.”

The Adam Driver and Kenneth Lonergan Reunite For ‘Tomorrow Is a Drag’ first appeared on The Blast