Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster, The Odyssey, released in French theaters on July 15, 2026, is facing boycott calls over its filming location in Western Sahara, a disputed territory in North Africa. The controversy adds to earlier criticism about the casting of Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy.
According to reports, the film was partially shot in the Dakhla region of Western Sahara, an area claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Pro-Sahrawi groups have accused the production of legitimizing Moroccan control over the territory, which the United Nations considers a 'non-self-governing territory.'
As of July 21, 2026, no official statement has been released by Nolan or Warner Bros. regarding the boycott calls. The film's production team had previously defended the choice of location for its 'unique landscapes,' but critics argue it ignores the region's political status.
