Beyond an Acting Reinvention: Elliot Page of 〈Odyssey〉 and Other Transgender Filmmakers in Hollywood

As Christopher Nolan’s 〈Odyssey〉 finds box-office success, one actor is earning a reassessment after months of controversy over the casting: Elliot Page, who plays Sinon. Before the film’s release, rumors that "Elliot Page would play Achilles" spread as if they were fact, and Page and Nolan faced vicious attacks from critics who questioned how a transgender actor could play such an iconic hero. Page's performance as Sinon, the Greek allied forces' final messenger, was notable for its subtlety: he left a clear presence despite limited screen time and helped lift the film's overall tone. While the conversation has since cooled somewhat, for several years during Hollywood’s peak PC wave, the industry was more open to transgender film professionals — members of the LGBTQ community — working visibly and prominently. Here are some of the transgender actors who drew attention — or stirred controversy — during that period.

Elliot Page

Before transitioning, Elliot Page worked under the name Ellen Page. Page is especially well known for Christopher Nolan’s 〈Inception〉 and Brett Ratner’s 〈X-Men: The Last Stand〉. With a small frame and a distinctive, charming look rare in Hollywood, he carved out a unique niche. He publicly came out as gay in 2014, and in 2020 underwent surgery and announced that he is a trans man. Because he was expected to appear in subsequent seasons of Netflix’s 〈The Umbrella Academy〉, rumors circulated that his surgery was a selfish or irresponsible act that would harm Netflix. After his announcement, the official Netflix account posted supportive comments, indicating the matter appears to have been discussed in advance. After his transition, his acting output clearly slowed, but his steady work in 〈Odyssey〉 could open the door to a comeback—time will tell.

Carla Sofía Gascón

Carla Sofía Gascón was among the fastest-rising—and then fastest-falling—stars. Gascón, who ignited conversation across 2024, debuted as an actor in 1995 and performed under the name Carlos Gascón before undergoing gender-affirming surgery in 2018 and living as a woman. Active mainly in her native Spain with limited global exposure, she captured worldwide attention in 2024 when she starred in 〈Emilia Pérez〉. She played Emilia Pérez, a former Mexican cartel boss who assumed a new identity and transitioned to live as a woman, and she shared the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress prize alongside Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz. That year she was even submitted for U.S. Academy Award consideration in the Best Actress category; at that point her rise seemed unstoppable. But after her sudden rise, numerous past social media posts resurfaced that revealed deeply prejudiced comments about race, religion and other topics; combined with criticism that 〈Emilia Pérez〉 itself disparaged Mexico, the 2024 dark-horse contender failed to win any of the Academy's major awards.

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer stood out in the drama 〈Euphoria〉, which produced numerous stars. Schafer plays Jules Vaughn, a character who experiences confusion about gender identity and later becomes a trans woman; Schafer herself is also a trans woman. Schafer grew up in a family that supported her choices rather than denying her identity, which allowed her to take off early as a model and actor. Her singular presence in 〈Euphoria〉 led to multiple casting opportunities; she is set to return in 〈Blade Runner 2099〉 in a role opposite Michelle Yeoh. She also has several horror projects lined up, including Hideo Kojima's new horror game "OD," an A24 horror and Jack Strauss's horror 〈Palette〉, putting her in contention to become a new "horror queen."

The Wachowskis

No survey of transgender figures in film would be complete without the Wachowskis, who are among the best-known examples in cinema. The two directors, once billed as the Wachowski brothers, began changing that public image in 2012 when the elder sibling Lana (then Larry) transitioned, after which they were described as brother and sister. They were already famous for directing the 〈The Matrix〉 trilogy and 〈Speed Racer〉, and they drew further attention when the younger sibling Lilly (then Andy) transitioned in 2016, after which they became sisters. Aside from the series 〈Sense8〉, they have had few successful films since, which made their personal journeys more prominent. After transitioning, the two have rarely worked together and seldom appear at official events. Currently, Lana Wachowski has effectively brought the franchise to a halt with 〈The Matrix Resurrections〉 and has no announced follow-up, while Lilly Wachowski is preparing new projects and is credited as an executive producer on a number of projects.