Christopher Nolan - Appreciation Thread

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  • edited July 2023 Posts: 579
    What would be so bad about Nolan "running the show" for one film? EON gives Nolan loads of power to helm one Bond film, then takes it all back once he is finished.
  • Posts: 4,162
    What would be so bad about Nolan "running the show" for one film? EON gives Nolan loads of power to helm one Bond film, then takes it all back once he is finished.

    Well, some of Nolan's decisions might not be what they want or think effective. If he's given power over casting, say, and he puts forward a less effective actor for the role than EON could pick, then that's a pretty fundamental disagreement in which normally the director would have to accept the producer's choice. Hell, if Nolan's pick gets the role then you can't really take that back (the producers want an actor who will be in the role for a period of time and not just one film).

    Nolan's not a perfect filmmaker. I'd argue he's made some pretty bad creative decisions on some of his films, particularly his later ones. I don't see why out of all the directors they could pick why they'd give him that unprecedented level of creative power.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @007HallY … his new found voice certainly disrupted a twenty year relationship he had with Warners. Publicly he complained he was ticked that WB was shuttling all of their features to streaming during Covid (I don’t see why he cared. Cinemas were closing down during the pandemic, and they were trying to salvage their investments (not his), during a time when no one knew what was happening in the world)).

    But if you dig around, or chat with those who are deep in the industry, they’ll tell you that was minor compared to the creative differences they were having with their artist.

    Say what you will about WBs (and I’m sure most of it is true), but what’s unmistakable: when they find a talent like Eastwood, Affleck or Nolan, they do everything in their power to make these creatives happy. Nolan wanted more than they were offering and they cut him loose.

    (I believe new heads at WBs are trying to get him back, and if I’m not mistaken, he did post on Oppenheimer back on their lot, so good luck to those guys)…
  • Nolan was not cut loose by WB. He moved on. And WB did want him to stay with them with Oppenheimer.

    From 2021:
    "Sources say that Nolan and his camp are talking to Sony and Universal, with conversations also taking place with Warners and Paramount."
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sony-universal-studios-vying-for-new-christopher-nolan-movie-1235010970/
  • LucknFateLucknFate 007 In New York
    edited July 2023 Posts: 1,649
    To me, there are two approaches to Nolan.

    1. He has his own nailed-down idea for a movie and will stick to it, which won't jive with the producers and it probably won't happen that way.
    2. He has an approach/tone he's pitched knowing that Eon will have hands in every pie, and is open to being the craftsman for their ultimate vision. Which I think is not the case.

    For example, read any detailed interview about Casino Royale and you learn that Campbell had A LOT of creative control over the script, and even more control over shooting. He apparently worked the hell out of people, and got stuff done on time. He's a craftsman. But he also probably has more trust from Eon than any other person outside of the family at this point. So it's going to be different for Nolan.

    The question right now probably is still: Are Eon even willing to meet with him? They'll meet, hear him out, and Eon will make a decision. It may have already happened. It will come down to who they want in the room for every meeting, not necessarily who nails their press junket interviews when asked about Bond.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    Nolan was not cut loose by WB. He moved on. And WB did want him to stay with them with Oppenheimer.

    From 2021:
    "Sources say that Nolan and his camp are talking to Sony and Universal, with conversations also taking place with Warners and Paramount."
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sony-universal-studios-vying-for-new-christopher-nolan-movie-1235010970/
    Nolan was not cut loose by WB. He moved on. And WB did want him to stay with them with Oppenheimer.

    @Colonel_Venus , he was let go by WBs.

    As I said, if you read my post, the new brass has been trying to get him back. I wished them luck (and Universal may have issues with them trying to poach the guy that the previous heads let-go, but that’s another story).
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,188
    Nolan is well acquainted with the folks at Eon and knows how they work, so it would be very interesting to see how much he concedes in terms of control over production and how much creative control Eon grants him. Nolan is smart enough to understand that when it comes to Bond films that Eon is the landlord and the directors are tenants.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    I like the way you put that, @MakeshiftPython
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,188
    Here’s Nolan talking about Bond at 22:39, and he pretty much seems to say the right things in how he expects it to work IF it happens.

    https://youtu.be/eWBJ-60L8Lg?t=1359
  • Junglist_1985Junglist_1985 Los Angeles
    Posts: 1,033
    He does that smile and nod sort of like he knows something when ATJ is brought up. Keeps it simple: “great actor!”
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited July 2023 Posts: 8,399
    Nolan Bond feels inevitable at this point:

    - They have been on a friendly terms for many years
    - Both currently have working relationships with Universal
    - Martin Campbell is most likely too old, and who EON usually rely on to kick off the new era
    - Nolan has talked about his dream of making a bond film since he has very young
    - Nolan seems to be hitting another peak in his career with Oppenhiemer, snagging him now would be great buzz for the reboot
    - Nolan says he would only be interested in doing his own take on the character, so realistically it's now or never
    - Nolan has been away from the franchise scene for a decade and may want to dip his toe back into that arena, especially after the comparatively dense Oppenhiemer

    The stars really do seem to be aligning...
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,641
    Not sure if I'd want a Nolan Bond film, he's a very talented director but in the last 10 years or so some of his work has been a touch pretentious. I'm not sure he'd conform to EON's vision of Bond and compromise his own vision

    The stars do appear to be aligning though, and a Nolan Bond film would be a marketing dream.
  • SF, SP, and even NTTD had some Nolan-esque sequences. It wouldn't be too big a change to get used to I think. That would actually be exciting if he was director for the next film.
  • brinkeguthriebrinkeguthrie Piz Gloria
    Posts: 1,400
    Christopher Nolan Calls Potential Bond Directing Gig an ‘Amazing Privilege’
    https://variety.com/2023/film/news/christopher-nolan-directing-bond-movie-failed-howard-hughes-biopic-1235675429/
  • M_BaljeM_Balje Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Posts: 4,520
    Example of how Bluray can look like:

    Opperheimer-Bluray.jpg
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,589
    I think after a long hiatus, Nolan and a new actor is exactly what will be needed to get the general public back on board with Bond.
  • DwayneDwayne New York City
    edited July 2023 Posts: 2,847
    Another Nolan interview with CBS News.

    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christopher-oppenheimer-sag-aftra-strike/

    Note: IIRC, if you see OPPENHEIMER in 70mm IMAX there are no "coming attraction" previews. So, the three hour running time is exactly that; 3 hours. Speaking for myself, far too often its' the 15-20 minutes of previews that make the moving going experience a chore and not the length of the film itself. Of course, "intermissions" would be nice, but I stand a better chance of dating a super model before they come back. :))
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 2,045
    Fantastic score by Ludwig Goransson for Oppenheimer though. Maybe Nolan & Goransson might win Oscars.
  • edited July 2023 Posts: 579
    Just for fun, the list of people I think will work on Bond 26 if Nolan directs (likelihood in percentages):

    Composer
    90% - Ludwig Göransson
    5% - Hans Zimmer
    5% - someone else

    Cinematographer
    95% - Hoyte van Hoytema
    5% - someone else

    Editor
    80% - Jennifer Lame
    10% - Lee Smith
    10% - someone else

    Production Designer
    60% - Nathan Crowley
    20% - Ruth De Jong
    20% - someone else

    Costume Designer
    50% - Jeffrey Kurland
    20% - Lindy Hemming
    5% - Ellen Mirojnick
    25% - someone else
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Saw this on Facebook just now. Give me this film.

    361916545_717754337028484_1959059096340291143_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=aqBzVGkYAs0AX-MrmRO&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB3jlt2La8QbNqlUJckof5PhRE2bOm_o2DxkvqBQfGRhQ&oe=64BD3E34

    The only Bond spinoff that we ALL need.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,641
    Just got back from Oppenheimer, I really enjoyed it. It's a intense experience, with a top notch score. Cillian Murphy's performance was fantastic
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,134
    Christopher Nolan Loves Blu-rays
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,021
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Saw this on Facebook just now. Give me this film.

    361916545_717754337028484_1959059096340291143_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=aqBzVGkYAs0AX-MrmRO&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB3jlt2La8QbNqlUJckof5PhRE2bOm_o2DxkvqBQfGRhQ&oe=64BD3E34

    Love it.

    THIS SUMMER, CHECK YOUR RADIATION SHIELDS!
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,134
  • Posts: 4,409
    I watched Oppenheimer....Nolan's filmmaking carries a formal elegance that feels traditional, but he stays true to his style by splicing up the timeline. The result is a film less baffling than Tenet but at times, it can feel cluttered. The first hour delving into Oppenheimer's early academic career is slow and drab, while the last hour is a little slow (though props to Nolan for making the lack of proper disclosure during a hearing have the same dramatic heft as a betrayal in the third act of a Batman film). However, the middle hour, focusing on the Trinity test, is magnificent. Personally, I found it a bit too talky and dense to be fully emphatic, though it's undeniable that the film is compelling.

    Cillian Murphy is exceptional, portraying a 20th-century Dr. Frankenstein, realising too late the limitless capacity for destruction of his creation. Murphy's cheekbones and eyes have never been put to better use. Robert Downey Jr disappears into his role as Lewis Strauss and delivers an outstanding performance. On the downside, the female roles are poorly served, and Nolan's biggest directorial misstep involves an ill-judged sexual fantasy scene.

    The ending, with its Dr. Strangelove-esque overtones, is a real gut punch that struck a chord with me. The film touches on the question of whether Oppenheimer should be forgiven for his contributions. Overall, great film.

    219194.gif
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    Nice review @Pierce2Daniel … Several of my friends have texted similar opinions. First Act was a slog. Second was genius. Third had some people a little confused if they didn’t know some of Oppenheimer’s downfall…
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,216


    I posted this earlier in the “ Director” topic.; it very much reflects how I feel.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,134
    talos7 wrote: »


    I posted this earlier in the “ Director” topic.; it very much reflects how I feel.

    If Nolan were to ever direct Bond, I agree that now woukd appear to be the perfect time all things considered.

    I was not overly impressed with the last three DC films, I am very much in favour of seeing what Nolan can do with Bond. It is a given we will get great practical set pieces.
  • Posts: 3,327
    Saw the snoozefest last night. Not impressed at all. Nolan is slowly going downhill now with each new movie. Tenet was awful, this isn't that much better.

    Very long, too much dialogue, and also didn't think the film really delivered on the message it was supposed to be doing (I guess) which is the shock and horror of such a bomb being dropped, the fact that we never see the devastation it can cause. It felt like Nolan ducked out of such horrifying images. And this is not a film that you have to see on IMAX, or even the cinema. It's mainly a talky drama, with very little in way of visual spectacle, so doesn't need to be seen on the big screen. It could easily have been done as a Netflix drama at home on TV.

    If Nolan were to direct a Bond film, he would need to go back and tap into what he did with the Batman trilogy, because now he has turned into a pretentious, boring filmmaker. I wouldn't let him anywhere near a Bond movie going by his past 2 movies.
  • edited July 2023 Posts: 1,220
    Just saw Oppenheimer in 70mm IMAX and I absolutely loved it, but it is not for everyone and the promotion/marketing was a bit misleading. Firstly, I don’t really think it’s as essential to see this in IMAX (I’d still recommend it to cinephiles) as we’ve been led to believe. Yes, there’s some brilliant moments of audio/visual filmmaking, but it‘s more in the spirit of There Will Be Blood and The Social Network than the multiplex spectacles that were last 3 Nolan films (Tenet, Dunkirk, Interstellar).

    The editing, narrative structure, epic visuals, and unrelenting score are pretty unusual for a biopic and give it that signature Nolan flavour. While there thematic/filmmaking elements from all his previous films that culminate in Oppenheimer’s story being told in a uniquely Nolanesque manner, I’ve found his previous filmography to be elevated popcorn flicks (and I mean that in the most positive way possible), while this feels like an indie/arthouse biopic with the budget and production value of a summer blockbuster.
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