Every great movie has an intense casting procedure where the director looks for the ideal actors to bring their vision to life. Christopher Nolan, the visionary director known for his ground-breaking films like Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and Interstellar, is one of the few filmmakers to have mastered this art skillfully.
However, one of the lesser-known characteristics of Nolan’s directing approach is his unique strategy of not letting his actors know the roles until they have been formally cast. For his upcoming movie, Oppenheimer too, he did not give his cast any clue about their parts beforehand.
Robert Downey Jr. Chose Oppenheimer without Any Prior Knowledge about His Role
Oppenheimer is shaping up to be a memorable representation of one of the most important physicists in the history of humanity. And, Robert Downey Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, who is sort of like the anti-Iron Man, in one of the most anticipated movies of the year.
Robert Downey Jr. was choosy about taking on his next role after his famous portrayal of Iron Man. But Oppenheimer fascinated him. The actor admitted that while he was initially concerned about the film, the opportunity to team up with Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy made it an exciting idea.
However, just like the other members of the cast, Downey Jr. was also unaware of his role and how Nolan will use him in the movie.
Meanwhile, fans start their keyboard troll on ‘Iron Man’ Robert Downey Jr. and his decision to be a part of this project without knowing anything about it.
One user wrote, “RDJ probably did that because he did not want to be just known as Iron man.”
Another one wrote, “RDJ knew he will not be playing Tony Stark and it made him sign.”
A third one said, “Any part away from Iron Man will do.”
Nolan makes sure that actors approach their characters without any preconceived assumptions by withholding particular information about their roles. He is renowned for going to great efforts to keep his scripts a secret, including putting in place strict non-disclosure agreements to protect the movie’s surprises. This is so Nolanesque!
Why Actors Are Kept in the Dark about Their Roles in Christopher Nolan’s Movie
In a time when leaks and spoilers can easily ruin the anticipation for a movie’s release, Christopher Nolan’s method of casting is essential to upholding the integrity of the story.
Christopher Nolan maintains complete authority over the plot and character development by keeping his actors in the dark about their roles until they commit to it. This strategy enables him to mold the narrative as he sees appropriate, free from outside influences or an actor’s preconceived notions.
Actors are compelled to experiment with different emotions, behaviors, and characterizations when challenged with uncertainty, forcing them to explore new aspects of their craft.
The casting method used by Christopher Nolan is a masterclass in finding the perfect fit for implementing his amazing concepts. Whether or not you agree with his approaches, there is no disputing the significant influence Christopher Nolan’s unique storytelling tactics have had on modern cinema.
Oppenheimer is hitting theaters on July 21.
Source: YouTube
