Elliot Page and girlfriend Julia Shiplett made a rare public appearance together on Tuesday, stepping out for the New York City premiere of Christopher Nolan’s latest film, The Odyssey. The couple, who have kept their relationship relatively private, posed for photos on the star-studded red carpet at AMC Lincoln Square. Page, 39, who publicly came out as transgender in 2020, was seen in a classic black suit paired with a striped shirt and black shoes. Shiplett, an actress known for her role in Overcompensating, opted for a dark brown dress with a scooped neckline and open-toed brown heels.
A Look at Elliot Page and Julia Shiplett’s Relationship
This appearance marks a notable moment for the couple, who went public with their relationship just over a year ago. In June 2025, Page shared a selfie with Shiplett on Instagram, captioned with simple heart and rainbow emojis, taken on a street adorned with rainbow colors. Their first official red carpet debut followed later that year at a Gucci short film premiere during Milan Fashion Week. Since then, they have occasionally featured each other on their respective social media accounts.
Shiplett showed her support for Page during the premiere event, sharing photos from an after-party on her Instagram. She accompanied the images with a lighthearted message about the film: “Saw this charming little indie called the odyssey (maybe based off a book?? not sure) really loved it, you guys should try to find it if you can.”
‘The Odyssey’ Premiere and Casting Controversy
The Odyssey, based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic, is slated for release on July 17. The film has generated significant discussion and controversy surrounding its casting choices even before its debut. Elliot Page is reportedly portraying the Greek soldier Sinon in the film, a role that has drawn attention partly due to past speculation that he might play Achilles, a rumor that was widely criticized by figures like Elon Musk.
Christopher Nolan, the director, has previously worked with Page on the acclaimed 2010 film Inception. Reflecting on their reunion for The Odyssey, Nolan told Rolling Stone that working with Page again was “thrilling.” He elaborated on Page’s contribution to the character of Sinon, stating, “I felt with his character [Sinon] in The Odyssey, he brings something really special to it.” Nolan further explained that Sinon’s role is to represent “the tragedy of war” and that Page “did an incredible job” in embodying this aspect.
Key Casting Decisions Spark Debate
The casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy has been a focal point of the controversy. Helen, a central figure in the epic whose beauty is said to have instigated the Trojan War, is traditionally depicted as a figure of immense, conventional beauty. Critics, including Elon Musk and political commentator Matt Walsh, have publicly questioned Nyong’o’s casting, with Walsh suggesting that Nolan might have avoided casting a white actress in the role to prevent accusations of racism. Musk echoed this sentiment with a simple “True” in response to Walsh’s comment, sparking debate among other celebrities.
Nyong’o, an Academy Award winner for 12 Years a Slave, is also set to play Helen’s sister, Clytemnestra, in the film. She recently faced additional scrutiny for her response to a question about what she would ask the ancient poet Homer. Her remarks, which focused on the limited screen time afforded to female characters in the original epic, were met with mixed reactions online, with some users interpreting them as out of touch.
Director Christopher Nolan has defended other casting choices, including that of rapper Travis Scott. Nolan explained to Time magazine that he cast Scott to evoke the idea that the epic tale has been passed down through oral tradition, drawing an analogy to rap music. The ensemble cast also features prominent actors such as Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron. The intense online reaction to the film’s casting has led to the official X account for The Odyssey restricting comments on its posts.
Nolan’s Vision and Previous Work
This project marks a reunion for Nolan and Page, who previously collaborated on the Oscar-winning film Inception sixteen years prior. Nolan’s directorial approach often involves reinterpreting classic narratives and exploring complex themes. His decision to cast Travis Scott, for instance, was explained as a nod to the oral tradition of storytelling, likening it to the roots of rap music.
The film’s cast is a star-studded affair, including Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron, alongside Page and Nyong’o. The significant public reaction to the casting decisions has been so pronounced that the official social media channels for The Odyssey have had to limit user comments.
Conclusion
Elliot Page and Julia Shiplett’s appearance at The Odyssey premiere offered a glimpse into their private life amidst the public discourse surrounding the film. While the couple enjoyed a rare date night, the film itself continues to be a subject of intense debate regarding its casting, reflecting broader conversations about representation and artistic interpretation in Hollywood.
