Elliot Page Discusses Challenges in Acting Post-Transition

Transgender actor Elliot Page shared insights on the “On Film… with Kevin McCarthy” podcast about the challenges faced in Hollywood following his transition. After starring in Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” Page noted a noticeable decline in acting opportunities, attributing this shift to the industry’s changing perception of him.

Reflecting on his career, Page acknowledged the differences before and after publicly coming out as transgender in 2020. He expressed a need to become more engaged in project development and filmmaker outreach to create a path forward in his career.

“I was seen in a certain way before, and it’s different now,” he said. “So maybe there is something to reaching out to people and trying to create projects that way. But it’s a little tricky for me to get cast now, for obvious, pretty obvious reasons.”

Despite “The Odyssey” achieving major box-office success, Page joked about the “Canadian thing.” Controversy surrounded his role as Sinon, with critics arguing Nolan’s “woke” casting choices impacted the film’s classical narrative.

Lisa Cusack, president of the Don’t L.A. My Burbank PAC, commented on the podcast, urging Hollywood to focus on content appealing to audiences amidst broader financial pressures. Cusack emphasized the need to move away from political messaging that might affect box-office returns.

“Hollywood might skew as left as it gets, but the industry is struggling right now and can’t afford to push woke politics that lose at the box office,” she stated. “Maybe the silver lining is the industry will get back to basics.”

Page remains optimistic about his passion for acting, expressing comfort in his craft since transitioning. He hopes to deliver some of his best work, drawing on past successes and playing significant roles in diverse projects.

Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” featuring Page and other notable cast members like Lupita Nyong’o and Travis Scott, attracted criticisms before hitting theaters. Yet, the film became one of 2026’s most successful theatrical releases, grossing over $1.5 billion globally.

The movie industry’s broader financial landscape showed complexity in 2026, with domestic box-office revenue increasing yet remaining below pre-2019 figures. Despite this, “The Odyssey’s” success marked a highlight in a challenging year.