Alec Baldwin slams Elon Musk over Lupita Nyong'o casting: 'She is the most beautiful woman'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Alec Baldwin clapped back at Elon Musk directly. Baldwin posted a photo with Lupita Nyong’o and called out Musk’s take on Christopher Nolan’s casting for 'The Odyssey.' He even called Nyong’o "the most beautiful woman in the world."

This came right after Musk went after Nolan on X, saying, "Christopher Nolan has lost his integrity," over Nyong’o being cast as Helen of Troy.

Baldwin’s reaction also came not long after he spoke about stepping back from Hollywood following the 'Rust' tragedy. He said he doesn’t even really want to “leave my house” anymore and just wants to stay home with his kids.

Alec Baldwin defends Lupita Nyong’o casting against Elon Musk

Christopher Nolan’s casting has been drawing a lot of attention. The film features a star-studded lineup including Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, and others.

But Musk questioned Lupita Nyong’o being cast as Helen of Troy, saying she wasn’t suited to play “the most beautiful woman in the world.” Baldwin, 68, shared a photo of Nyong’o, 43, on Instagram on Friday, May 15, reacting to Musk’s comments and the criticism surrounding Nolan’s casting choice.

“Dear Elon... but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world... Alec,” Baldwin wrote in the caption. His wife, Hilaria Baldwin, supported the post by dropping fire and heart emojis in the comments.

Filmmaker Nolan, 55, confirmed in a Time magazine profile published on Tuesday, May 12, that Nyong’o is playing both Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra in 'The Odyssey'.

Helen of Troy debate fuels Lupita Nyong’o casting backlash

The debate started around Lupita Nyong’o playing Helen of Troy, a role tied to one of the biggest ideas in Greek mythology: Helen is famously called "the most beautiful woman in the world." That label comes from ancient Greek epics, especially Homer’s 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey', which form the backbone of Nolan’s film.

Helen is best known for her role in 'The Iliad', where her story is tied to the start of the Trojan War. But she also appears briefly in 'The Odyssey' in a scene involving Telemachus, played in the film by Tom Holland.

Nyong’o is also set to play Helen’s sister, Clytemnestra, who marries the Greek warrior Agamemnon (played by Benny Safdie). Their story connects to the larger fallout of the Trojan War, where Agamemnon leads the Greeks into battle against Troy.

Against that backdrop, Musk questioned the casting. But Baldwin hit back by posting a photo of Nyong’o, essentially turning the myth into real life while showing support for Nolan’s vision.