Christopher Nolan has revealed why he almost always finishes his movies early and under budget. The Oscar-winning director said sticking to schedules gives him something every filmmaker wants: more “creative freedom.”
Christopher Nolan on why finishing his films under budget and before schedule
Christopher Nolan recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter following the release of The Odyssey. During the interview, he was asked how he consistently delivers movies before schedule and under budget.
When asked about his secret, Nolan said it all comes down to avoiding unnecessary interference during production. “Well, it’s not a given because all filmmaking teams approach things differently in terms of prioritization and their choices made on that basis,” Nolan explained.
He said he learned an important lesson early in his directing career. “What I realized early on is that if I stayed on budget and on schedule, I got less interference. I didn’t give people a reason to panic. That’s when you find people breathing down your neck and questioning everything you’re doing. If you can stay on the right side of that line, that buys you a different type of creative freedom.”
He continued, “In other words, all filmmaking is a creative compromise, and I prefer to make those compromises on my own terms. Part of those terms are being on budget and on schedule. Then those decisions are in your hands, but that does involve compromise.”
Nolan also acknowledged that not every filmmaker follows the same approach. “Not every filmmaker sees it that way, and that’s completely valid. There’s no right or wrong way to make a film. That’s the reality.”
The interview also touched on horror films; he joked, “They don’t need to beg me to tell a horror story anymore. Just buy a ticket.” He also admitted The Odyssey “very much whets my appetite for more.”
Nolan also discussed future IMAX camera technology improvements. He also confirmed The Prestige returns for its 20th anniversary, which will receive a new 70mm re-release. Meanwhile, The Odyssey continues breaking box office records worldwide.
The film earned $264 million during its opening weekend. It became Christopher Nolan’s biggest global opening to date.
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