Timothée Chalamet reunited with director Christopher Nolan at a Los Angeles screening of Interstellar, where he interviewed the filmmaker about the 2014 sci-fi epic. Chalamet shared his deep personal connection to the project despite his small role, while Nolan reflected on its mixed initial reception and enduring popularity. The discussion highlighted the film's emotional core and behind-the-scenes decisions.
Timothée Chalamet and Christopher Nolan gathered at the AMC Universal Citywalk in Los Angeles for an IMAX 70mm screening of Nolan's 2014 film Interstellar. In a video shared by the Nolan Archives, Chalamet, an Oscar nominee for Marty Supreme, interviewed Nolan and described Interstellar as his favorite project. He noted his role as Tom, the teenage son of Matthew McConaughey's character Cooper, placed him 12th on the call sheet, but the film arrived at a pivotal time in his career.
Chalamet recalled weeping for an hour upon first viewing the film and discovering his role had been significantly reduced. He explained that the original script, written by Nolan's brother Jonathan for Steven Spielberg, centered on a father and son story, leading him to initially expect a larger part. Nolan advised, “Never believe what you read online!” as the audience laughed.
Nolan detailed the film's origins: a pitch from physicist Kip Thorne to Spielberg for a science-based sci-fi movie. After collaborating on The Dark Knight, Jonathan Nolan took over the project. When Spielberg stepped away, Nolan combined it with his own time-related ideas. Interstellar opened in November 2014, grossing $681 million worldwide and earning five Oscar nominations, including a win for best visual effects.
Despite the financial success, reviews were mixed compared to Nolan's earlier works like Inception. Nolan described the reception as “a little bit sniffy” from critics and audiences, noting some felt the public was not ready for it. He recounted an anonymous producer's comment: “He is a cold guy who makes cold films,” which lingered for years. However, Nolan emphasized the film's focus on family and humanity, calling it one that “wears its heart on its sleeve.”
Chalamet expressed regret that Nolan did not receive immediate acclaim, saying, “This movie makes me weep more than anything.” Nolan responded that individual connections matter more than instant cultural embrace, and the film has grown in popularity over time. A re-release two years ago earned $5 million. Nolan praised a key scene with messages from Cooper's children, where Chalamet persisted with his vision despite Nolan's initial reservations about its dark tone, ultimately trusting the actor's choices.
