The One Genre That Scares Nolan
Christopher Nolan’s filmography reads like a roster of modern classics. He has directed sci-fi thrillers like Interstellar, Tenet, and Inception, drawn audiences into mysteries such as The Prestige and Memento, explored history with Dunkirk and Oppenheimer, and reinvented the modern superhero movie with the Dark Knight trilogy.
Still, romantic comedies remain a genre Nolan finds daunting. He has openly said he would be “terrified” to direct one.
Nolan Opens Up on “The Tonight Show”
During his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Nolan discussed the bold technical choices behind his latest project: filming his adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey on 70mm IMAX film. This marked the first time a feature had used that format, according to Nolan and industry reporting.
Fallon took the chance to ask, with a smile, if Nolan ever considered an “easy” movie next—specifically, a rom-com.
“I think doing a rom-com would be incredibly difficult,” Nolan replied. “I love watching those movies. But, no, I think people who direct comedy, people who do comedy, I think that’s one of the hardest things in the world to make people laugh that way.”
His respect for comedy was clear. He added:
“Particularly the risk they take. When you make a film … you know, if I show a film to people and maybe they don’t respond to bits of it, I’m like, ‘Ah, they don’t get it. Whatever.’ There’s no hiding behind that when you do comedy.”
Nolan on the Possibility of Horror
While romantic comedies remain off his to-do list, Nolan hasn’t ruled out other genres. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he was asked whether working on The Odyssey—which includes some horror-like sequences—made him consider directing a horror film.
“But I’ve always believed that horror as a genre has to be approached very carefully from a conceptual point of view. In other words, you have to have an amazing idea,” Nolan said. “When you go see a film like Obsession, that’s an amazing idea. That movie works like a motherfucker. It’s not about the technical side. It’s not about what technical itches I would have to scratch. It’s about story. So I’m always looking.”
What’s Next for Nolan?
Though a romantic comedy isn’t on Nolan’s horizon, audiences still have plenty to anticipate. The Odyssey is currently in theaters, featuring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and more. Whether Nolan tries his hand at new territory or continues building on what he does best, moviegoers will be keeping an eye on his next move.
