Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is proving to be one of the biggest movies of the year, earning $123.5 million domestically and $263.7 million globally on the opening weekend. With moviegoers flocking to the theaters to see the A-list cast, there is one trillionaire who thinks artificial intelligence can do it better.
On Tuesday, Elon Musk announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that his AI platform, Grok Imagine, will create what he called a “historically accurate” adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey before the end of the year.
“Before this year ends, Grok Imagine will make a full-length movie of The Odyssey that is historically accurate and true to the art of Homer,” Musk wrote, sharing a three-minute AI-generated clip depicting Odysseus and Calypso.
Despite being viewed over 8.9 million times, it only has 140k likes and thousands of comments, many of which are roasting him and the clips to shreds. “It’s very important to note here that he did not say it was going to be good,” one person wrote.
One of the big questions users have is how a story filled with gods, monsters, and mythical creatures could ever be described as “historically accurate.”
“‘Historically accurate.’ There is a cyclops,” one person joked. Another added, “Historically accurate? You’re aware it’s a mythological poem, right?”
Others pointed out hilarious details in the AI-generated clip itself, including what appeared to be an earpiece worn by Odysseus. Someone said it was beeswax, but another person argued that even if it was meant to represent beeswax, it still wasn’t faithful to the original story because Odysseus deliberately leaves his own ears uncovered so he can hear the Sirens’ song while his crew plugs their ears with beeswax and ties him to the ship’s mast.
The announcement is a part of a much larger debate over the use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood, with what seems like the majority arguing that AI should not replace artists and filmmakers. “No thanks. The people want real actors. Use AI to help humanity, not entertain us,” one person wrote. Another added, “It won’t be a work of human art, so I don’t care.”
Others pointed out that Nolan’s blockbuster has become proof that audiences still value human creativity over AI-generated content. “The whole point of why The Odyssey is doing great isn’t the story. It is the magnificent HUMAN filmmaking,” one user argued. “Its success is, in part, a rejection of AI.”
Elon’s obsession with The Odyssey
Unfortunately, the comments also include racist and transphobic takes about the film that Musk has helped spread. The father of 14 spent months criticizing Nolan’s adaptation before it even hit theaters, repeatedly criticizing the film’s diverse casting.
© Penske Media via Getty ImagesHe previously shared posts criticizing Lupita Nyong’o’s casting as Helen of Troy and her twin sister Clytemnestra, while accusing Nolan of pandering for awards rather than historical authenticity.
He also reacted to fake news that Elliot Page would be playing Achilles. Musk responded to a tweet saying, “One of the dumbest and twisted things I’ve ever heard” with clown emojis. Page’s actual role in the film is Sinon, a Greek warrior from Ithaca and Odysseus’ (played by Matt Damon) cousin.
© GettyThe criticism, however, has done little to slow the film’s success. The Odyssey debuted to amazing reviews, earning a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
© Getty ImagesNolan has defended the casting, and pushed back on the broader AI conversation. Speaking ahead of the film’s release, the Oscar-winning director said he doesn’t believe artificial intelligence can replace human creativity.
“The idea that it replaces human beings wholesale and human creativity, to me it’s nonsense,” he told AFP.
He also responded to an interview with Hugo Travers calling AI a transparent horse “made of glass.” “I’ve never seen a technology advancing so rapidly [that’s been] so completely rejected by the public,” he said.
“Everybody’s suspicion of it is so extreme, particularly young people. The reaction to AI videos online and people my children’s age immediately calling it ‘AI slop’ and coining that term and just putting it in a box.”
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