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Nolan Reveals Interstellar Scene He "Didn't Like"; Chalamet Defied Him

Director Christopher Nolan revealed there was a take in Interstellar's emotional video-message scene that he "didn't particularly like," finding its tone too dark. Actor Timothée Chalamet, who played Cooper's son, chose to perform the scene his own way regardless, which Nolan acknowledged was a carefully planned choice. The film, which began as a pitch from physicist Kip Thorne to Steven Spielberg, had a mixed critical reception initially but has grown in stature over time. A decade later, it remains a deeply resonant project for both its director and star, with Chalamet calling it his favorite career project.

Key Points: Nolan Disliked Interstellar Scene, Chalamet Did It Anyway

  • Nolan disliked a darker take
  • Chalamet performed it his own way
  • Film had mixed initial reception
  • Now a beloved modern classic
  • Began as a Spielberg pitch
3 min read

"It felt too much for me...": Christopher Nolan reveals the 'Interstellar' scene he didn't particularly like

Christopher Nolan reveals the Interstellar scene he didn't like. Timothée Chalamet performed it his way. Details on the film's legacy and emotional core.

"It felt too much for me. I didn't particularly like it. - Christopher Nolan"

Washington, February 11

Oscar winning director Christopher Nolan has revealed that there was one moment in Interstellar he "didn't particularly like", and that Timothee Chalamet chose to perform it his own way regardless.

The filmmaker and actor recently reunited at AMC Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles for a special IMAX 70mm screening of Interstellar, as per Variety where Chalamet interviewed Nolan ahead of the screening and described the 2014 sci-fi epic as his favourite project of his career.

"Though my role is not enormous in 'Interstellar,' I think I was number 12 on the call sheet, this film came to me at a time in life, in my career, where things were certainly not set yet," Chalamet told the audience, adding,"And it's remained my favorite project I've ever been in," as quoted by Variety.

Chalamet played Tom, the teenage son of Matthew McConaughey's Cooper. He has previously said he "wept for an hour" after first watching the film and discovering his role had been significantly reduced from earlier expectations.

The script, originally written by Jonathan Nolan for Steven Spielberg, centred more prominently on a father-son relationship before being reworked.

During the discussion, Nolan reflected on the film's origins, explaining that it began as a pitch from physicist Kip Thorne to Spielberg about a science-fiction story grounded in real science.

When Spielberg moved on to another project, Nolan combined his brother's script with his own ideas about time.

The director also addressed the film's mixed initial reception despite grossing USD 681 million worldwide and winning an Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

As per Variety, he said, "The film was received in a slightly ambiguous way," noting some critics were "a bit sniffy."

However, he added that the film has grown in stature over time, with audiences increasingly connecting to its emotional core.

Recalling the filming of the emotional video-message sequence, Nolan told Chalamet there was a take where the actor struck a darker tone.

"It felt too much for me. I didn't particularly like it," Nolan said, adding, "I told you about it and you went ahead and did whatever the f-- you wanted," as quoted by Variety.

Nolan clarified that Chalamet had carefully planned his performance choices. "It wasn't about being stubborn," he said, adding that he ultimately trusted the process in the edit suite.

Over a decade later, 'Interstellar' continues to resonate, and remains, as Chalamet put it, a film that "makes me weep more than anything."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Respectfully, I think sometimes the director's vision isn't the only valid one. Chalamet was living that character's pain. An actor's instinct matters too. Glad Nolan trusted him in the edit. The film's emotional core is what makes it timeless. ❤️
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Vikram M
Watched it in IMAX in Mumbai when it released. The visuals and the score by Hans Zimmer... mind-blowing! It's more than a film; it's an experience. The science behind it sparked so many discussions in our college. Nolan sir, please make a sequel!
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Sarah B
The initial mixed reception doesn't surprise me. It's a complex film. It took me two viewings to fully appreciate it. Now it's in my top 5 of all time. The ambition is just staggering.
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Rohit P
"You went ahead and did whatever the f-- you wanted" 😂 That's the funniest and most real director-actor story I've heard. Shows even legends like Nolan have moments where they have to let go. Timothee was brilliant, even with a smaller role.
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Karthik V
As an aspiring filmmaker, this is a great lesson in collaboration. The final product is what matters. The film's legacy speaks for itself. It's a cult classic in India now, played on TV every few months. Do murli manohar pathak! (The score gives me chills!)

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