Christopher Nolan has worked with Warner Bros. since his first American film, Insomnia , released in 2002.
Recognizing the talent of the British filmmaker, the studio then awarded him its most precious franchise, Batman , and the rest is history. . It is clear that Nolan found in Warner an ideal partner, which allowed him to make his films without creative restrictions, also guaranteeing him pharaonic budgets even for the most risky and original projects. However, the relationship ended after Tenet , when Warner decided to launch his 2021 films simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max ., so as not to have to submit to any cinema closures during the Covid pandemic. Nolan , a staunch supporter of cinemas, was very critical of this strategy: “Great filmmakers and important stars of our industry went to sleep thinking they were working for the best film studio of all,” he said long ago, “and the next morning. they found they were working for the worst streaming service of all ” .
As you can imagine, the director of Memento was courted by all the American studios, and in the end Universal Pictures , who will produce his long- awaited biopic about Joshua Oppenheimer , won . Why Universal ? The credit is also due to colleagues, including M. Night Shyamalan .
Shyamalan’s advice
Interviewed by the Hollywood Reporter , Shyamalan said he spoke openly with Christopher Nolan about his experience at Universal , underlining the studio’s “commitment to original storytelling and theaters”.
I’ve expressed what I feel about Universal’s commitment to original storytelling and theaters. In an age where everyone is trying to sell you the story that original movies and theaters are dying, I don’t believe it at all! Not at all’. And Universal has doubled the stakes – and continues to double it – on the fact that this is its identity. So, I hope Jordan [Peele], Chris, me and anyone else who arrives, even at other studios, can show that everyone wants to see fresh and original ideas in a movie theater.
Shyamalan quoted Jordan Peele , who has actually worked with Universal since his directorial debut, the acclaimed Get Out .
Christopher Nolan’s next film
As previously mentioned, Nolan ‘s first film with Universal will be Oppenheimer , which is expected to be released on July 21, 2023 . The cast includes Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie and Rami Malek .