Universal SKIPS influencer screenings of The Odyssey after woke casting controversies

Universal Pictures is taking a different route with Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, opting to skip early influencer screenings ahead of its July release, with critics instead set to be the first outside audience to see the movie following its London premiere, per The Hollywood Reporter. It comes at a time where people wonder if the movie is going to be too woke over casting decisions.

The studio plans to hold its global premiere screening in London on July 6, after which the film will move directly into press critic reviews, according to industry reporting. That decision marks a shift from the increasingly common practice of hosting advance screenings for influencers, fan accounts, and entertainment bloggers who typically post early reactions on social media.