Oscar-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o has responded to far-right criticism of her role in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey.

In the big-budget film, out in July, the star plays Helen of Troy alongside cast members including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Zendaya.

In a new interview with Elle, the 12 Years a Slave actor was asked about criticisms that have emerged from figures such as Elon Musk over a Black actor playing a mythical character. The disgraced tech billionaire accused Nolan of making a “DEI” hire because he wants awards.

Nolan’s last film Oppenheimer, with a majority white cast, won seven Oscars including best picture.

“This is a mythological story,” Nyong’o said before saying: “I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling. Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”

She later added: “It’s quite something to be a part of The Odyssey, because it is so grand. It spans worlds. So that’s why the cast is what it is. We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time.”

Earlier this week, Jimmy Kimmel ridiculed Musk for his comments, telling him to “stay in your lane”, while Alec Baldwin also came to Nyong’o’s defence, writing on Instagram: “Dear Elon … but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world.”

On The View, Whoopi Goldberg also criticised Musk. “You don’t have to actually go to the movie,” she said. “I don’t know why you feel like you need to speak on this, and I would suggest looking in a mirror if you have any concerns about people’s looks, if this is where we’re going.”

Nyong’o, whose post-Oscar films have included hits such as Us, Black Panther, The Wild Robot and A Quiet Place: Day One, also noted in the interview that the majority of roles she was offered after her win were enslaved women, something she calls “disappointing, but not surprising”.

In the interview, she also added: “I can’t spend my time thinking about all the people who still don’t love me. You’ll find the representatives who believe in you, and you’ll get on with it. I want to believe I’m built to last.”

The Odyssey, with a reported budget of $250m, will be released on 17 July.