High-profile breakups happen in Hollywood all the time, but few will have stung more for the jilted party than Christopher Nolan deciding to sever ties with Warner Bros. after 20 years of the filmmaker working exclusively for the one studio.
During that period, he evolved from the latest fast-rising star of original cinema into the king of the creatively uninhibited blockbuster, with WB affording Nolan levels of financial investment and freedom that very few names in the business are afforded, which was of course entirely justified based on the critical acclaim, awards season recognition, and box office returns.
Unfortunately, the company’s approach to its theatrical slate during the height of the pandemic didn’t sit well with the Dark Knight Trilogy director at all, ultimately ending with his departure. Oppenheimer may be set up at Universal – with rumors claiming that Warner Bros. has deliberately pitted it against Barbie out of spite – but executive Michael De Luca revealed to Variety that he hopes a reconciliation is on the cards.
As well as stating in no uncertain terms that, “We’re hoping to get Nolan back. I think there’s a world,” it’s also noted in the report that the writer and director was given a seven-figure royalty check based on the performance of Tenet, which seems more like bribery than kissing and making up, but we digress.
Nolan’s team did not respond when requested for a comment on the matter, so maybe he wants to leave the past in the past. Either way, if you see somebody from Warner Bros. turning up on his doorstep with a boombox raised above their head while wearing a long coat, then you’ll know exactly why.