Staff Reports
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, several actors from the film “Oppenheimer” opened up about the peculiar quirks of legendary director Christopher Nolan. While he may not be as extreme as Vincent van Gogh, who famously cut off his own ear, Nolan’s idiosyncrasies are odd in their own right.
According to Robert Downey Jr., one of the lead actors in the film, Nolan has a strict aversion to bathroom breaks. Downey Jr. revealed that Nolan dislikes it when actors take breaks to use the restroom, but he understands that it is necessary. When asked about Nolan’s own restroom schedule, Downey Jr. shared, “And I asked him, ‘Dude, when do you go?’ And he goes, ’11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.'” Downey Jr. couldn’t help but be surprised by Nolan’s precise bathroom timing.
Adding to the unusual bathroom-related behavior, Emily Blunt, another actor in the film, mentioned that Nolan drinks an extraordinary amount of tea. It seems the combination of strict bathroom breaks and copious tea consumption creates an interesting dynamic on set.
Nolan’s strictness extends beyond bathroom breaks. Rumors have circulated about the lack of chairs on his sets, and the actors confirmed these reports. Blunt noted, “I mean, there’s an apple box around now and then,” suggesting that chairs are scarce. Downey Jr. elaborated, stating that Nolan leads by example and expects the same level of commitment from his crew. Additionally, Nolan is not a fan of seeing phones on set, so actors have learned to leave their devices behind when working with him.
While these quirks may not be as extreme as some other artistic eccentricities, they showcase Nolan’s attention to detail and desire for complete focus on set. Despite his unconventional tendencies, there’s no denying Nolan’s skill as a director. Fans can catch “Oppenheimer” on Peacock starting February 16th.
