Colman Domingo addresses 'The Odyssey' casting backlash on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

Colman Domingo used his guest-hosting appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to respond to criticism surrounding Lupita Nyong'o's casting in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, using humour to address the debate.

Domingo, who is filling in while Jimmy Kimmel is on his summer break, referenced online backlash directed at Nyong'o's portrayal of Helen of Troy in the upcoming film.

During the programme, Domingo played a clip of podcaster and One America News Network producer Chris Cella, who said, "Casting a Black woman as Helen of Troy is like casting a Black man to play Abraham Lincoln or a White dude to play MLK."

Domingo responded by drawing a distinction between historical figures and mythology.

"Well, not exactly," he said. "Because MLK was real, and Helen of Troy is as real as Harry Potter."

He continued the joke by adding, "But I'll be honest, I agree with that strange little dude. Helen of Troy shouldn't have been played by a Black woman. She should have been played by a Black man, specifically me. Daddy wants his Oscar!"

Later in the segment, Domingo made another joke aimed at viewers unhappy with the film's diverse casting.

"I have a message for everyone who was upset about diversity in The Odyssey. If you want to see a film with a cast of all white people who are cursed by the gods," he said before pausing, "the 'Melania' movie is currently streaming."

Helen of Troy is a figure from Greek mythology associated with the Trojan War. While she is central to the mythological story, she is not considered a historical figure.

Nyong'o previously addressed criticism surrounding her casting in an interview with Elle in May.

"I'm very supportive of Chris' intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling," she said. "Our cast is representative of the world. I'm not spending my time thinking of a defense. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not."

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey features an ensemble cast and presents a new adaptation of Homer's epic, with Nyong'o portraying Helen of Troy.