Seth Meyers took aim at Elon Musk and the right over their inconsequential attempts to bring down Christopher Nolan’s hit adventure The Odyssey. On Late Night, Meyers joked that Musk’s plan to make an AI-generated version of the film using Grok was doomed to fail. “I can’t wait for that to suck,” he said, poking fun at the billionaire’s latest venture.
Right-Wing Backlash Against Nolan’s Epic
Ever since casting was announced for Nolan’s big-budget epic, the right dismissed it as a “commie woke-fest” due to its diverse cast. Much of the anger was aimed at Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, who was cast as Helen of Troy – a character who, as Meyers joked, “hatched from an egg that was the result of Zeus turning into a swan who had sex with a goddess,” or simply “white lady stuff.” The late-night host quipped that MAGA pundits had suddenly become “poem cops.”
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Box Office Proves ‘Woke’ Wins
Despite the criticism, The Odyssey opened to a massive $264 million box office haul worldwide last weekend. Meyers said this meant “woke is back” and that the right’s inability to predict a hit was because “most of them haven’t seen a movie in theatres since Fast and Furious.” The right’s favorite saying, “you go woke, you go broke,” was once again proven wrong.
| Film | Opening Weekend Box Office | Diversity Score (Critic) |
|---|---|---|
| The Odyssey (Nolan) | $264M | High - praised for inclusive casting |
| Hypothetical AI Odyssey (Musk/Grok) | N/A | Likely low - historically inaccurate AI? |
Musk’s AI Odyssey: A Laughable Pitch
Musk, the world’s richest and “weirdest” man, claimed he would make a “historically accurate” version of the film with his AI tool Grok. Meyers responded with sarcasm: “It’s a myth! Are you also making a historically accurate version of The Santa Clause?” The audience erupted in laughter as Meyers highlighted the absurdity of using AI to produce a faithful adaptation of an ancient poem that itself is full of mythological elements.
Key Takeaways from Seth Meyers’ Critique
- Elon Musk’s AI film plans are widely mocked by comedians and critics alike.
- Nolan’s diverse casting of The Odyssey proved commercially successful, debunking the “go woke, go broke” myth.
- Right-wing commentary on movies often misses the mark, as Meyers illustrated with the Iran war analogy.
- The AI-generated movie trend, especially by Musk, is seen as a publicity stunt rather than serious filmmaking.
FAQ
What did Seth Meyers say about Elon Musk's AI version of The Odyssey?
Meyers joked that he cannot wait for it to suck, calling the idea absurd and comparing it to making a historically accurate version of The Santa Clause.
Why were conservatives criticizing Nolan's The Odyssey?
They labeled it a “commie woke-fest” due to its diverse casting, particularly Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, ignoring the mythological origins of the character.
How did The Odyssey perform at the box office?
The film earned $264 million globally in its opening weekend, proving that inclusive storytelling can be a massive commercial success.
Is Elon Musk actually making an AI movie with Grok?
He has claimed he will produce a “historically accurate” version of The Odyssey using his AI tool Grok, though no concrete details have been released and it is widely seen as a publicity stunt.
Seth Meyers’ monologue reflects a broader cultural debate about diversity in Hollywood, the role of AI in creative industries, and the tendency of some to politicize entertainment. As Nolan’s The Odyssey continues to dominate theaters, Musk’s proposed AI rival remains a punchline. Whether or not Grok can actually produce a feature film, one thing is clear: the audience will be waiting – and laughing.