Christopher Nolan is known for utilizing the best modern filmmaking technology available when making his movies. For instance, his 2026 movie release, The Odyssey, is a technological achievement, as it was shot on two million feet of IMAX film. Despite the British filmmaker’s tech-savvy strategies, the man himself is still not tempted to get a smartphone. Truth be told, though, I understand his logic.
On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Memento director got real about internet rumors that have circulated about him throughout the years. It was probably a given that a biggie that came up was Nolan’s preference not to use a smartphone or email. As for why the Oscar-winning director has never felt the need to join the crowd, Nolan shared a very logical answer during his interview (which can be seen on YouTube):
I have a flip phone — like a dumb phone — I use when I travel and stuff. That’s kind of great. I think I would be horribly addicted to it if I had it. I would lose those pockets of time that I really value where you’re just thinking. Just sort of looking out the window and thinking about what your next film might be.
Wow, it’s been decades since I’ve seen a flip phone in the wild! However, I completely understand where Christopher Nolan is coming from in preferring an old-fashioned cellphone over a smartphone. As we as a society become more glued to our phones and other electronic devices, we lose sight of the world around us as well as in-person communication. If having a “dumb phone” is enough for the Oppenheimer filmmaker and helps his creative process, I’m all for him sticking to his mantra.
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So, if The Dark Knight filmmaker doesn’t use a smartphone, how did he communicate with his cast and crew while making The Odyssey? Nolan gave an old-school answer, and it makes a lot of sense:
I am surrounded by people helping me all the time. It would actually be pretty hard for me to get away from the information that people are trying to give me.
Now, why didn’t I think of that? Considering how massive the cast and crew of the epic action fantasy flick is, it makes sense that Nolan would certainly not be without people who could help him out tech-wise.
Not only was the Inception director against personally using smartphones amid production on his movies, but that’s the same deal with his casts. Nolan has long had a “no phone” rule on his sets, and Tom Holland said Nolan’s policy remained in place on the Odyssey set. If anything, that’s a truly distraction-free way of keeping the actors focused on their movie. Believe it or not, he’s even banned UGGs from his set to also not break the illusion of the world being built out in the film.
As for how The Prestige director has been able to get away with contacting his actors without a cellphone, he has his wife and producing partner, Emma Thomas, give a heads-up when he’s ready for a phone call. And, from there, he’ll call the star from a studio landline. You’d think it’d be just easier for the man to group-message or call his actors on a Samsung or iPhone. But, if calling from a landline works for one of the most successful filmmakers of our generation, who are we to judge?
With Christopher Nolan’s love of practical effects and belief in the communal, theater-going experience, it should come as no surprise that the London native isn’t keen on immersing himself too deep in personal electronics. I can certainly see the advantages of owning a smartphone, but I also understand the benefits of shying away from such items.
I hope Nolan fans check out The Odyssey in theaters now and, while you’re doing so, keep that phone away and enjoy the experience.