Late night host Jon Stewart praised Christopher Nolan’s upcoming blockbuster The Odysseycalling the Greek epic “a stunning work” and confessing that he was completely fascinated by the production.
Chat with the Oscar-winning director in a 20-minute conversation about The daily show On Monday night, Stewart gushed several times about the highly anticipated Universal Pictures film, which is officially set to hit theaters this week.
The popular Comedy Central The host clearly expressed his admiration from the start of the interview.
“Holy shit. This is amazing work,” Stewart told Nolan directly.
“I was completely absorbed and transformed by the powerful storytelling and epic nature of the film. [It’s] It’s just remarkable, I feel like I know a lot of stuff, but I don’t know how you did it.”
He even went so far as to jokingly compare the director’s technical wizardry to magic, telling Nolan: “Here’s what I’m going to say: You’re a wizard, Harry. The film is spectacular. As always, you’re my favorite filmmaker.”
Inviting audiences to experience greatness on the biggest screen possible, Stewart added that he appreciates the intentionality, craftsmanship and beauty that Nolan has invested in the project, stating that he hopes everyone rushes to see it in theaters exactly as planned.
One of the main topics of discussion during their conversation was Nolan’s famously unyielding commitment to physical filmmaking over digital alternatives.
Stewart admitted he was particularly amazed by the practical effects used to bring the ancient sea voyage to life, asking the director if the film actually used real boats and real waters.
Nolan confirmed that they did, explaining that because they were adapting The Odysseyhe really wanted to take the audience on this journey.
While the team certainly used every classic cinematic trick in the book, Nolan explained that he felt it was essential to find authentic locations and use a real boat.
He admitted that it was a difficult film to make, but argued that it was difficult for all the right reasons, noting that an adaptation of The Odyssey it should be hard.
Stewart also spoke of a rare behind-the-scenes achievement, noting that he had heard that Nolan managed to finish the massive production ahead of schedule and under budget, an occurrence he said almost never happens in modern Hollywood.
Nolan explained that the reality was that they had 100 days for filming, but by day 91, the cast and crew simply couldn’t have taken another step.
He said they finished at exactly the right time because everyone was completely exhausted.
The film adaptation of the famous Greek epic tells the legendary story of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, and his long and perilous journey back to the kingdom of Ithaca after the Trojan War.
Awaiting his return are his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, his son Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, and his faithful servant Eumaeus, played by John Leguizamo.
On his dangerous journey home, Odysseus encounters famous mythological characters, including the goddess Circe, played by Samantha Morton, and the nymph Calypso, played by Charlize Theron, while Penelope must fend off the advances of the treacherous suitor Antinous, played by Robert Pattinson.
Movie buffs will finally be able to experience the epic for themselves when the film officially hits theaters on Friday.
