In the midst of the reactions to Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of The Odyssey earlier this year, there was a unanimous acknowledgment from both critics and enthusiasts: Elliot Page delivered a remarkable performance in the film. Despite this, the Canadian actor disclosed that he has not been approached for any new roles following the success of the movie. Page made this revelation during a recent appearance on the podcast On Film… With Kevin McCarthy.
When questioned by host Kevin McCarthy about his upcoming projects, with the assumption that he must be receiving numerous offers post the movie’s success, Page responded, “No, Kevin, I’m not.” In his portrayal of the Greek soldier Sinon in The Odyssey, Page garnered praise for his role as a pivotal character in Odysseus’s narrative, delivering a poignant monologue even after meeting an untimely demise.
Addressing the scrutiny he faces for being Canadian, Page humorously mentioned to McCarthy the unfounded criticisms, alluding to the backlash from far-right commentators earlier in the year. These commentators, including Ben Shapiro, Megyn Kelly, and Elon Musk, had sparked controversy on social media over rumors suggesting Page’s casting as the renowned Greek warrior Achilles, which was later revealed to be untrue.
Page, an actor since the age of 10, gained recognition for his Oscar-nominated performance in Juno along with roles in Inception and Hard Candy. In 2020, he publicly came out as transgender and has been vocal against anti-2SLGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation in both the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, he was among the signatories of an open letter signed by 400 Canadian artists denouncing discriminatory anti-trans policies.
During the podcast episode, Page expressed his eagerness to continue acting without taking a break. He noted that the comfort he now feels post-transition has boosted his confidence in his craft, believing that he is capable of delivering his best performances yet. Reflecting on his previous collaboration with Nolan on Inception, where he portrayed a female character, Page admitted to feeling more at ease now compared to then, signaling personal growth and fulfillment in his current work.
Page is not the sole actor from the successful Nolan film to face a dry spell in terms of new opportunities. Samantha Morton, who portrayed Circe in The Odyssey, also revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that she has not secured any roles since the film’s release. Morton, acknowledging the evolving dynamics of the industry, highlighted the competitive nature of acting and the changing landscape of show business.