Elliot Page, the acclaimed actor who starred in the 2016 aquatic drama The Odyssey, has revealed that the film’s critical success has not translated into a flood of new job offers. In a candid recent interview, Page acknowledged that despite the recognition surrounding the project, the phone hasn’t exactly been ringing off the hook in the years since its release.
Page played Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s son, Philippe, in the biographical adventure directed by Jérôme Salle. The film chronicles roughly three decades in the life of the legendary French oceanographer, inventor, and conservationist, focusing on his groundbreaking underwater explorations and his complex relationship with his family. While the movie earned a respectable 6.6/10 rating on TMDb and was praised for its sweeping visuals and emotional depth, Page said that acclaim in a prestige drama hasn’t led to the kind of commercial momentum many might expect.
"I’m not getting lots of offers, that’s the honest truth," Page said, speaking about the aftermath of the film. The actor, who has since become a prominent figure in conversations about transgender representation in Hollywood, noted that the industry often pays lip service to diverse stories but remains slow to back them with tangible opportunities. "You do a project that people respect, and there’s a moment of validation. But then you realize the system doesn’t necessarily reward that with the next big role."
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean and the open sea, The Odyssey stars Lambert Wilson as the iconic Cousteau, with Audrey Tautou portraying his devoted wife Simone Melchior Cousteau. The narrative spans the inventor’s rise to fame through his revolutionary diving equipment and acclaimed documentaries, while also delving into the personal cost of his ambition - particularly the strained bond with his son Philippe, played by Page. Pierre Niney and Laurent Lucas round out the cast in supporting roles that add texture to the explorer’s world.
The film’s release in October 2016 positioned it as a serious awards-season contender in France, with Salle’s direction drawing comparisons to classic seafaring epics. Yet for Page, who was still early in a career that would later include roles in projects like Inception and Juno, the experience was a double-edged sword. On one hand, working opposite Wilson and Tautou offered a masterclass in performance. On the other, the actor observed that the industry’s appetite for unconventional narratives often fades once the red carpets are rolled up.
Page’s remarks come at a time when Hollywood is wrestling with questions about inclusion and longevity for performers who don’t fit traditional molds. The actor has been vocal about the challenges of navigating an industry built on rigid expectations, and these latest comments suggest that even a celebrated turn in a mainstream-adjacent picture doesn’t guarantee career security. He pointed out that while The Odyssey was a French-language production, it received international distribution and attention, yet the buzz didn’t convert into a pipeline of American studio offers.
Fans of the film have rallied around Page’s performance, often citing the underwater sequences and the fraught father-son dynamics as highlights. The role required significant physical preparation, including diving training to authentically portray Philippe Cousteau, who died in a plane crash in 1979. That dedication, Page noted, was part of the appeal - but it also underscored how rare such immersive opportunities have become.
"I gave everything to that role," Page said. "I trained, I lived in that world, and I think it shows on screen. But the business isn’t always about what you give. It’s about what fits a certain idea of marketability." He added that while he remains grateful for the chance to tell Jacques Cousteau's story, he hopes the industry evolves past its tendency to pigeonhole actors based on their identity or past roles.
The Odyssey itself remains a contemplative look at a man whose inventions changed how humanity perceives the ocean, from the Aqua-Lung to underwater cameras that brought marine life into living rooms worldwide. Wilson’s portrayal captures Cousteau’s stubborn brilliance, while Tautou’s performance grounds the story in emotional reality. The film’s 122-minute runtime allows for a sweeping yet intimate examination of a legacy that stretched from the 1940s through the 1970s.
For Page, though, the takeaway is less about the accolades and more about the industry's structural hesitancy. The actor’s candor reflects a broader conversation among performers who find that critical applause doesn’t always equal career advancement. As Hollywood continues to debut content that champions diverse voices, Page’s experience serves as a reminder that momentum can be fleeting - and that the gap between honoring a performance and casting an actor for the next one remains stubbornly wide.
While Page did not specify whether recent projects are in the works, the interview suggests a pragmatic outlook. "I’m not sitting around waiting," he said. "I’m creating my own opportunities because that’s the reality. But I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t sting when people say they loved your work and then don’t follow through." For an actor whose talent has never been in question, the wait for Hollywood to catch up continues.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
