Lupita Nyong’o hits back at backlash surrounding The Odyssey casting

Lupita Nyong’o has responded to the criticism of her casting in the forthcoming film, The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan.

The stunning star will play the role of Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra, and she told Elle magazine that the hate is not worth her time: “I’m not spending my time thinking of a defence”

The new movie is a star-studded affair, also featuring Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, Jon Bernthal, Travis Scott and more.

Helen of Troy is regarded as having such beauty with the face that 'launched a thousand ships.'

“This is a mythological story' the star insisted, saying she is 'very supportive of Chris’s intention with it,' quotes People.

The film is based on the Greek epic work by Homer, and is one of the oldest surviving works of literature.

The star has hit back at criticism for her casting as Helen of Troy (JB Lacroix/WireImage)

It tells the story of Odysseus and his treacherous journey home from the Trojan War.

“Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defence. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not," insisted Nyong'o.

Much of the criticism sadly focused on her race, with some calling director Christopher Nolan 'a coward' for not casting a white actress.

He responded by sharing the qualities which made Nyong'o the perfect Helen of Troy: “The strength and the poise were so important to the character of Helen.

"Lupita makes it look effortless. I’m sure there’s a tremendous amount of discipline and training that goes into projecting that kind of poise and feeling the emotion bubbling beneath the character, the layers of the character right there underneath.”

He went on to call her 'an incredible person to work with' before confessing “I was absolutely desperate for her to do the part.”

Nyong'o also said the role was more than looks, saying an actor 'can’t perform beauty.'

Lupita said she wasn't going to waste her time with criticism (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

“I want to know who a character is,” she insisted. “What is beyond beauty? What is beyond looks? That’s the thing about doing such a well-known text, which has been studied and interpreted and derived from. The research could be endless. The good thing about working with a writer like Chris is that it’s on the page. The investigation starts with the pages you’re given. That’s what I based it on.”

After hearing that Nolan had been desperate to cast her, the star said she had been 'so deeply honoured to be entrusted with' the role, adding: “I mean, she is iconic. What more can I say?”

Matt Damon also shared his gratitude for being cast in the role at the age of 55.

“There aren't a lot of people in their mid-50s as protagonists in these epics, so I looked at this like the last movie I'd ever do," he admitted.

"Movies like this are not getting made anymore. To do this without a green screen, the way that David Lean would have done it, I don't know anybody, with the exception of Chris, that's even trying to do that."

Charlize Theron echoed his sentiment, calling it the 'part of a lifetime.'