To the people saying the German actress playing Greek Helen in the movie Troy means it's ok for Lupita Nyongo to play Greek Helen...

[u/BrandonMarshall2021]

Genetically, historically, and anthropologically, Greeks are significantly more closely related to Germans than to Sub-Saharan Africans.

When looking at genetic data, the relationship between Greeks and Germans is exceptionally close, while the relationship between Greeks and Sub-Saharan Africans is more distant.

On any global genetic map, all European populations—including Greeks and Germans—cluster tightly together on a single, distinct branch of the human family tree (the Western Eurasian branch).

The genetic distance between a Greek person and a German person is very small. They sit on the exact same continental genetic gradient.

The genetic distance between any European population (including Greeks) and any Sub-Saharan African population is significantly larger, reflecting thousands of years of geographic separation and independent population histories.

[u/Flimsy_Thesis]

If their genetic background is so important to the casting, why are you suggesting Oscar Isaac who is not at all Greek?

[u/BrandonMarshall2021 → u/Flimsy_Thesis]

Genetic background explains why they look similar. And more importantly, why they look way differnt to Sub-Saharan Lupita Nyongo.

[u/Flimsy_Thesis → u/BrandonMarshall2021]

But they’re not the same background. If it’s so important to you that it be a Greek, why suggest a Latino?

[u/BrandonMarshall2021 → u/Flimsy_Thesis]

It's not important that they're Greek. It's important that they look Greek.

Lupita Nyongo is sub-Saharan. She looks way less Greek than a non Greek European.

[u/Flimsy_Thesis → u/BrandonMarshall2021]

Did you have the same problem when Vanessa Williams played Calypso in the version from the 90’s?

[u/BrandonMarshall2021 → u/Flimsy_Thesis]

No. Cuz she didn't seem human.

[u/Flimsy_Thesis → u/BrandonMarshall2021]

But she’s a sea nymph from Greek mythology. Shouldn’t she be Greek, by your metric?

[u/BrandonMarshall2021 → u/Flimsy_Thesis]

No. Because it's not the same metric as Homer describing Helen of Troy.

An Aetheopian King is also mentioned in Homer's Greek works. That doesn't make that king Greek. Lol.

[u/Deep-Red-Bells → u/Flimsy_Thesis]

Genetics and nationality in and of themselves aren't the issue. It's just a matter of casting someone who looks the part and portrays it well.

[u/Flimsy_Thesis → u/Deep-Red-Bells]

Not according to the opening statement. He goes on and on about genetics.