In the wake of reactions to Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of The Odyssey earlier this year, both critics and admirers found common ground in praising Elliot Page’s exceptional performance in the film. Despite this acclaim, the Canadian actor disclosed that he has not been approached for any new roles since the movie’s success. Page shared this information during a recent appearance on the podcast On Film… With Kevin McCarthy.
When questioned by host Kevin McCarthy about his future projects and the assumption that he would be inundated with offers post-movie, Page candidly responded, “No, Kevin, I’m not.” Hailing from Halifax, Page garnered praise for his portrayal of the Greek soldier Sinon in The Odyssey, a character who meets an early demise in Odysseus’s scheme and later delivers a poignant monologue from the afterlife.
Reflecting on the attention he received, Page humorously remarked to McCarthy about facing criticism for his Canadian nationality, alluding subtly to the transphobic uproar sparked by false claims on social media that he was cast as Achilles, the renowned Greek warrior.
Several right-wing figures, including Ben Shapiro, Megyn Kelly, and Elon Musk, stoked controversy on social media over the possibility of a transgender man playing the role of Achilles, a situation denounced by 2SLGBTQ+ advocates as absurd, especially when it was revealed that Page was portraying a different character.
With a career spanning back to the age of 10, Page is recognized for his roles in acclaimed films like Juno, Inception, and Hard Candy. In 2020, he publicly came out as transgender and has since been vocal against anti-2SLGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation in both the U.S. and Canada.
In a podcast episode, Page expressed his eagerness to take on new acting challenges, citing a newfound confidence in his craft post-transition. He emphasized feeling liberated from past discomfort, believing that he is now capable of delivering some of his finest performances.
Despite the success of The Odyssey, Page is not the only actor from the film experiencing a lack of post-movie opportunities. Samantha Morton, who portrayed Circe in the Nolan epic, revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that she has not worked since the film’s release, attributing the industry’s changing dynamics and fierce competition among talented actors.
Both Page and Morton’s experiences shed light on the challenges actors face in the ever-evolving entertainment industry landscape.