Christopher Nolan Feels A “Responsibility” To Continue To Make Blockbusters

Christopher Nolan is one of the only filmmakers who is able to demand a huge budget for a period drama like “Oppenheimer.” How is he able to do that? Well, his films are spectacles that earn hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office. And Nolan is able to earn that box office because when people go to buy a ticket for one of his films, they know it’s going to be an epic experience. It would appear, at this point, at least, that Nolan has to keep making blockbusters, whether he wants to or not. When you hear the director talk about it, it’s clear he’s okay with that predicament.

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Speaking to Time, fresh off the news that his “Oppenheimer” earned a ton of Oscar nominations and seems poised to take home quite a few trophies, Christopher Nolan talked about his career and what he expects to do in the future. No, he didn’t talk about a specific film he’s working on next, but the filmmaker did explain that he feels a “responsibility” to keep making huge films, if for no other reason than it’s the fortunate (and unique) position he finds himself in now.

“I’m drawn to working at a large scale because I know how fragile the opportunity to marshal those resources is,” Nolan said. “I know that there are so many filmmakers out there in the world who would give their eye teeth to have the resources I put together, and I feel I have the responsibility to use them in the most productive and interesting way.”

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Basically, Nolan has a bit of a “use it or lose it” mentality. If a studio is willing to give him roughly $200 million to make a movie, the filmmaker understands that’s a rare situation to be in. So, he’s going to take advantage. There’s also added pressure on Nolan, as he is one of the biggest supporters of the theatrical release model. In an era where streamers are attracting big filmmakers and massive projects, Nolan is still only interested in making movies for cinemas. And the best way to continue to ensure your films get a theatrical release is to make each and every one of them a massive spectacle that demands to be seen on the biggest screen imaginable. 

All that to say, don’t expect Nolan to turn around and make a small indie drama anytime soon. He’s made his blockbuster bed, so he’s going to lay in it. Luckily for film fans, Nolan has found a way to take a three-hour drama about the creation of the atomic bomb and make it a must-see theatrical experience. If he’s able to do that, then there’s really no limit on what he considers to be “large scale,” as long as he puts something in there that makes the theatrical experience a necessity.