Christopher Nolan’s latest epic is making waves at the box office. Odyssey has grossed $264 million at the worldwide box office, setting a director’s global opening weekend record. And in the US, it grossed $124 million, Nolan’s top opening outside the Batman franchise.
Christopher Nolan says making The Odyssey piqued his interest in directing horror films. talking to hollywood reporterNolan said that the horror elements in The Odyssey inspired him to explore the genre further.
Nolan says The Odyssey whetted his appetite for horror
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nolan admitted that The Odyssey has made him more interested in making a horror film, but he still needs to find a truly effective idea. When asked if he had answered the world’s demand for him to make a horror film, Nolan joked, “I was going to say. Now they don’t have to beg me to tell a scary story. Just buy a ticket.”
Asked if The Odyssey had satisfied his interest in horror, he said, “It whets my appetite for more. But I’ve always believed that horror as a genre needs to be approached very carefully from a conceptual standpoint. In other words, you have to have an amazing idea.”
Pointing to a specific example, he said, “When you go see a movie like Obsession, it’s a wonderful idea. That movie works like a mother-er. It’s not about the technical side. It’s not about what technical itches I have to scratch. It’s about the story. That’s why I’m always watching.”
The Odyssey explores the theme of the Law of Zeus, also known as the Golden Rule of treating others as you would like to be treated. Speaking about this idea of civility and mutual respect, Nolan told The Hollywood Reporter that, “The fact that we have mutual respect defines civilization to some extent. I don’t think it’s something that can be completely imposed by, for example, a religious framework. I think it has to be innate in us for it to be as prevalent and effective as it has been for thousands of years.”
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How The Odyssey reminded Nolan of Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan’s 13th film, The Odyssey, has become the first narrative feature shot entirely in IMAX. The film has received praise from critics and audiences and grossed $264 million worldwide in its opening weekend, becoming Christopher Nolan’s biggest global opening to date.
Nolan said that it was only after finishing the new film that he noticed similarities between The Odyssey and his 2023 film Oppenheimer. “Now that I look back at it after finishing The Odyssey, there are interesting parallels [to Oppenheimer]Nolan told The Hollywood Reporter. “I try to leave each of my films with thematic concerns and questions that remain a little open-ended for me and hopefully for the audience as well. These are things I want to explore more without being too self-conscious.”
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Nolan’s filmmaking philosophy
On his filmmaking philosophy, Nolan said that staying on budget and schedule gives him creative freedom: “I realized early on that if I stay on budget and schedule, I get less interference. I don’t give people reason to panic… In other words, all filmmaking is a creative compromise, and I like to make those compromises on my own terms.”
Is The Prestige getting a re-release?
Nolan confirmed that The Prestige will be re-released with a 70mm blow-up for its 20th anniversary next year. He praised Christian Bale’s work in the film and called it “one of his most underrated performances”.