While reflecting on the film’s ensemble cast, the actor singled out his co-star with remarkably high praise, arguing that her presence made her uniquely suited to bring one of mythology’s most famous figures to the screen.
Jon Bernthal Says Lupita Nyong’o Brought Everything Helen of Troy Required
Bernthal, who plays Menelaus in Nolan’s adaptation, spoke warmly about sharing the screen with Nyong’o, whose Helen of Troy sits at the center of the legendary conflict that launches the story. Rather than focusing only on the character’s legendary beauty, he pointed to the qualities he believes the Oscar winner brings as a performer.
“For me, there’s no one else in the world who could have done that,” Bernthal said during the interview. He added that Nyong’o possesses “a level of beauty both inside and out that you believe somebody would [go to war for],” before concluding, “I’m just so glad it was her.”
Nyong’o’s casting attracted significant attention long before “The Odyssey” reached theaters, with Helen of Troy remaining one of the most recognizable figures in Greek mythology. Christopher Nolan’s version of the character places her among an ensemble that includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as Telemachus and Zendaya as Athena.
Bernthal’s comments arrive as “The Odyssey “continues to dominate conversation following its release, with audiences discussing everything from Nolan’s ambitious retelling of Homer’s epic to the performances delivered by its star-studded cast. His enthusiastic endorsement adds another spotlight moment for Nyong’o, whose portrayal has become one of the film’s most talked-about supporting performances.