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Leguizamo: Oscar Buzz for 'The Odyssey' Role
6 Oct
Summary
- Leguizamo eyes Oscar nomination for 'The Odyssey' role.
- He discusses industry shifts and representation challenges.
- Leguizamo shares career highs and lows, including 'ER' dislike.
Veteran actor John Leguizamo is receiving significant acclaim and Oscar consideration for his role as Eumaeus in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey." This recognition comes after a 42-year career marked by diverse roles across film, television, and stage.
Leguizamo has openly discussed the evolution of Hollywood and the critical importance of representation. He noted that while in the '90s, playing roles outside one's identity was common, he now believes opportunities should be given to actors who authentically belong to those identities, citing the industry's past reluctance to cast Latino or LGBTQIA+ actors.
Reflecting on his career, Leguizamo shared his less-than-positive experience working on the series 'ER.' He also highlighted his fondness for the 'Ice Age' franchise and the animated film 'Encanto,' and recounted being initially offered the role of the Vulture in 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' before it was rescinded.
His portrayal in "The Odyssey" has been lauded by critics, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it "the heartbeat of the film." Leguizamo expressed enthusiasm for Nolan's inclusive casting approach, which allowed actors like Lupita Nyong'o and Corey Hawkins to embody classical characters, making the ancient story accessible to a broader audience.
