Seth Meyers took aim at Elon Musk and the right-wing critics of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, mocking Musk's plan to create a “historically accurate” AI version using Grok. During a segment on Late Night, Meyers expressed skepticism: “I can’t wait for that to suck.” The comedian’s remarks come amid a broader cultural clash over diversity in Hollywood, with conservatives labeling Nolan's epic a “commie woke-fest” despite its massive box office success.
Seth Meyers Calls Out the Right’s ‘Poem Cops’
Meyers highlighted the absurdity of the backlash against the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy. “How dare you cast popular actors in fictional roles in a movie adaptation of a poem written 2,700 years ago?” he joked. He noted that right-wing pundits had suddenly become “poem cops” after decades of ignoring the mythological origins of the story. The host also reminded viewers that the phrase “you go woke, you go broke” was disproven when The Odyssey opened to a staggering $264 million worldwide over its first weekend.
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Elon Musk’s AI Adventure: A ‘Historically Accurate’ Farce?
Elon Musk, the world’s richest and, in Meyers’ words, “weirdest” man, claimed he would use his AI tool Grok to produce a historically accurate version of the film. Meyers retorted, “It’s a myth! Are you also making a historically accurate version of The Santa Clause?” The segment also touched on broader political hypocrisy, with Meyers pointing out that the same voices who predicted a quick victory in the Iran conflict were now silent as that situation spiraled further out of control.
Box Office Reality Check: Woke Wins Again
The commercial triumph of Nolan’s The Odyssey sends a clear message: diverse casting does not hurt ticket sales. Below is a comparison of the film’s opening weekend with other major 2025 releases:
| Movie | Opening Weekend (Worldwide) | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| The Odyssey (2025) | $264 million | $200 million |
| Fast & Furious 11 | $180 million | $180 million |
| Captain America 5 | $210 million | $250 million |
As the data shows, The Odyssey outperformed expectations despite (or because of) its celebrated diverse cast. Meyers concluded that “woke is back” and that the right’s inability to predict a hit stems from the fact that “most of them haven’t seen a movie in theatres since Fast and Furious.”
Key Takeaways from Seth Meyers’ Rant
- Seth Meyers skewered Elon Musk’s plan for a historically accurate AI version of The Odyssey.
- Conservative critics had labeled the Nolan film a “commie woke-fest” over its diverse casting.
- The Odyssey opened to $264 million worldwide, proving the “go woke, go broke” mantra false.
- Meyers mocked Musk’s AI ambitions, calling them “weird” and destined to fail.
- The segment links Hollywood diversity debates to broader political inconsistency on foreign policy.
FAQ
What did Seth Meyers say about Elon Musk’s AI movie?
Meyers said he “can’t wait for that to suck” after Musk announced he would use his AI tool Grok to make a historically accurate version of The Odyssey. He called the idea absurd, noting the original story is a myth.
Why did conservatives criticize Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey?
Critics on the right dismissed the film as a “commie woke-fest” because of its diverse cast, particularly the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy. Meyers defended the choice, pointing out that the character’s origin involves Zeus turning into a swan.
How much money did The Odyssey make at the box office?
The film earned $264 million worldwide during its opening weekend, far exceeding expectations and debunking the claim that “woke” films fail commercially.
Late-night host Seth Meyers continues to use his platform to skewer hypocrisy, this time taking on the intersection of Hollywood, politics, and AI. Whether Musk actually delivers his “historically accurate” odyssey remains to be seen—but Meyers is already on record with his verdict.